Preventing Terrorism - One Woman's Response

Life can be brutal
There were hundreds of innocent lives lost in Paris, Beirut and on Flight 9268 this last week. Terrorism is not new and our sorrow is compounded because acts of evil are not unfamiliar. So many parts of our world are torn and besieged. So many parts of our world are cauldrons of violence and cruelty.

Over two millennia ago Queen Esther was overwhelmed with terror over Haman’s violent and hideous plot to exterminate her people. Maybe like Esther you’re asking, what is going on? Why are these things happening to me? What can I possibly do?

As we saw last week king Xerxes was reminded that Mordecai had saved his life from assassination. Wanting to honor Mordecai the king asked Haman, his second in command,“What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Thinking the king was about to honor him Haman tells the king to put the king’s royal robe on the man, put him on a horse and parade him through the city streets.

The king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. You lead the horse. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” Esther 6:10-11

Haman runs home puzzled, dejected and absolutely undone. While telling his wife what had just happened he is hurried away to Esther’s banquet? The king again asked, “Queen Esther, now what is your petition?

Esther tells the king the dire news that her people are going to be destroyed. The fickle forgetful King Xerxes asks, “Who would dare do such a thing? Esther replies, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”  The king is enraged and Haman begs Esther for his life. Ironically the king hangs him on the same gallows he had built for Mordecai.

God appointed promotion
King Xerxes promotes Mordecai and replaces Haman as his new chief of staff. Esther reminds the king that his edict is still in force and weeps and begs the king to rescind his kingdom wide edict to annihilate the Jews.  Xerxes revokes his edict and the Jews are miraculously delivered. Let the party begin!

In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. Esther 8:17

An entire nation was saved because a young woman said yes to a bigger purpose than her life of safety, security and wealth. That was her day. One day it will be yours.

You are here for a particular reason
Maybe you wonder why you are where you are, but you’re here for a particular purpose. It may not seem to be as dramatic as Esther, but like Esther you will have God appointed opportunities.

Your life is part of a much BIGGER story – God’s story
Conditions for the Jews were far from ideal. They were dismal. They we’re in exile thousands of miles from home and in danger of losing their culture and language and no corporate place of worship. In the book of Esther God is not even named, he’s off stage, you can’t see Him, but He is the main character.

Things are not what they seem. God shows up in unlikely places like a manger, a cross, at your work, at your home, in your life. God is present! As in Esther’s life God is sovereignly at work behind the scenes in your life. Who knows what He has in store for you “for such a time as this”?

You have a crucial role to play
What is your role in the Story? The only one that can tell you that is the Author.  Ask Him to show you what He intends for you and what you are to do. Don’t underestimate your role in the everyday stuff of life. 

These are desperate times and people need grace from you and I. Grace is found where God is found, in the pressure points of life. And even in a very broken world, grace and deliverance can be found in one opportunity at a time.

Mark