Positioned and Unprepared

Scripture: For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Ester 4:14

Observation: As Mordecai is communicating to Ester the edict that has been passed against the Jews, and responding to her fear in helping, this is his response ... that if she doesn't help, "deliverance" will still come from somewhere, but her family line will be impacted. He ends the message with the line that perhaps Ester's advancement as queen exists for this very event - for such a time as this - to be the one in a position to influence the king and prevent the destruction of all Jews.

Mordecai is, of course, likely correct. While God is not mentioned in the advancement of Ester, or even as the one who may deliver the Jews, it is certainly implies that the Lord has prepared Ester by way of her position to aid in this matter. With this encouragement, Ester uses three days to plan and prepare, while the Jews of the city fast and pray, so she can discern the proper approach in addressing this matter with the king, and then have courage to act.

Application: God certainly puts us into the circumstances of our lives, and knows the situations that will arise in those circumstances. It is easy to think that understanding how to then act in cases of hardship, unrest, or difficulty would be obvious ... God wanted someone to address the matter and put me here so I must know what to do! However, that isn't always true. In the case of Ester, she was fearful, didn't believe she could do anything, and even when convinced to act had no idea what to do. She needed time, along with prayer, to figure out how to approach the king, when failure to do so properly would mean death.

It seems likely, then, that not only am I in a place where God will want me to take action to aid in a situation, but also that I have no idea what that situation may be, nor am I prepared to understand and take action. This is a likely sign from God in fact ... that when the time comes for me to serve the Lord, it will be in a matter where I am afraid, unprepared, and unskilled to do so. My choice must not be to ignore the matter and let someone else join with God in the resolution, but to pray and seek the Spirit's guidance.

Prayer: Lord, here I am. Send me to whatever task you would have of me, and whatever service you need of me. I know I am not prepared or capable, but you are. Amen.