In review of Esther 4:14 it says, “If you keep quiet at a time like this, God will deliver the Jews from some other source, but you and your relatives will die; what’s more, who can say but that God has brought you into the palace for just such a time as this?” (TLB)
When I face challenges in life, seek to know what God wants me to do, and then do it, confident that he will do his part. I don't know ahead of time how he will accomplish his will. Trust God and prepare to be surprised by the ways he demonstrates his trustworthiness.
After I identify my gifts and the needs that stir my heart, there is a third step: Take the time to hear God’s call for my life.
God didn’t recruit me without a calling. God calls everybody to use the gifts and the passion they have, but not everyone picks up the phone.
The only way I’ll hear is if I listen. I’ve got to be quiet. I’ve got to get alone and spend time with God.
When Mordecai sent Esther word that the Jews were going to be annihilated, he basically told her in Esther 4:13-14, “Don’t think that you can just ignore this disturbing trend. Yeah, I know it’s been tough, but this is your destiny. God put you here. It’s no accident that you are a Jewish woman and now the queen of Persia.”
It’s important to read on and see Esther’s response to Mordecai in Esther 4:16: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days . . . I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law” (NIV).
Esther knows confronting the king is likely to mean certain death. She’s going to have to use her gifts of beauty, intelligence, and personality to persuade him. But before she goes to see him, she sets aside three days to retreat, fast, and pray before God.
As I seek God’s call on my life, I too need to follow Esther’s example. First, get all the support I can. Esther had Mordecai and the Jews pray for her. I need to get my small group to support me in prayer. If I don’t have a small group, now is the time to find one.
And second, get extended time alone with God. Schedule a retreat with God. Whether it's overnight, a weekend, or longer if I can, I won’t hear God’s call on my life if I don’t get alone with him.
In summary, If I keep quiet at a time like this, God will deliver the Jews from some other source, but myself and those I know and work with will suffer. God has brought me into this situation / time for just such a time as this. When I face challenges in life, I need to seek to know what God wants me to do, and then do it, confident that he will do his part. I don't know ahead of time how he will accomplish his will. I just need to trust God and be surprised by the ways he demonstrates his trustworthiness. After I identify my gifts and the needs that stir my heart, take the time to hear God’s call for my life. God didn’t recruit me without a calling. God calls everybody to use the gifts and the passion they have. The only way I’ll hear is if I listen, be quiet, get alone and spend time with God. But before Esther goes to see the king, she sets aside three days to retreat, fast, and pray before God. As I seek God’s call on my life, I too need to follow Esther’s example. First, get all the support I can. Next, get extended time alone with God. I won’t hear God’s call on my life if I don’t get alone with him.
This verse and devotional are in line with something my team mentioned yesterday that made sense for me to do. In my situation, I have been removed from upper leadership. My response has been to back away and let the upper leadership deal with and provide direction. However, what we are seeing is that they are missing so many things and not really providing the guidance needed. I should not be keeping quiet and not taking leadership over the gaps they are leaving. Rather I should do what needs to be done, not only for my team but for the organization they are starting to hurt. I should trust God and finish well.
Father, this morning I pray with the help of the Holy Spirit that I can be re-energized and step up to know what needs to be done. To lead and assist others and the organization. I thank you for providing my team to remind me of this. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I also thank you for providing the opportunity to speak with a leader in a different organization about my passions, my experience and my skill sets. These things I pray and thank you through your Son Jesus, Amen.
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