Lonely Little Jonquil brightening the cornerEsther 4:14 NIV
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
I am studying the book of Esther in a Beth Moore Bible study and this verse has made a major impact on my life. Why was I born at this time in history and what is my place in God's timing? This is not something I ponder a lot, but as I grow older and realize there are fewer years left than lived, I wonder what "footprints" I will leave and why at this particular time.
These times are the times which "trouble men's souls." They are perilous times, hard times economically, but times of great faith. Esther was living in a time where her life and the lives of her people were in danger for they were going to be eradicated from the face of the earth. These are God's chosen people. The nation He chose to be a light to the whole world mirroring His power and love.
During Esther's time, the Jews had been in captivity for many years and Esther's husband, the king, following the bad advice of Haman, had decreed the Jews would be killed - men, women and children, all on the same day. King Artaxerxes did not know Esther, his queen, was a Jew and she was afraid to tell him. Under the guidance of her uncle Mordecai, who had raised her, and after fasting and praying, she saw her duty to her God and her people and answered the question of why was she in the royal position at this time by agreeing to try to save herself and her people.
This was her time and place in God's plan for the Jews. What is our time and place in God's plan? What is our time and place in God's plan for the world He created? Like Esther we need to spend time in fasting and praying and seeking God's leadership. Like Esther we need to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to join us in this time of fasting and praying for only by God's strength and power can we shine in this world of darkness and pain.
How can we shine in the darkness? We stay positive and joyful even in a time of negativity and sadness. We encourage our fellow Christians to stand firm in the war against evil and speak out and be heard as we declare God's love for all and His desire to have a personal relationship with every person He created. We remain positive with the knowledge that NOTHING happens to us or in the world which God does not know and is there to guide us through the turmoil. Nothing happens to us that He does not give us His strength to walk through and He is there beside us as we walk the paths.
Most of all, we continue to show God's love in a world that does not know Godly love. This is the love that places others first, loves everyone regardless of race, social position, friend or foe. GOD IS LOVE and we as His children should be Children of Love. We show this by being compassionate, forgiving and courageous in our telling others the Source of our love.
Is this difficult? You know it is but remember, God placed us in His world and this time, in this place to show the world what He can do and who He is to this world He created. Most know the creation but not the creator.
You and I have come to the royal position of being God's child to declare our Father's love to the world and let them know that He can deliver them from the darkness of evil. Eternity with Him is the gift we have, how can we not speak out and tell the world one person at a time.
Stand firm dear sister and brothers and I will join you in fasting and praying for love and courage to speak out to our world.
Amen and amen,
Your sister in Christ
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
I am studying the book of Esther in a Beth Moore Bible study and this verse has made a major impact on my life. Why was I born at this time in history and what is my place in God's timing? This is not something I ponder a lot, but as I grow older and realize there are fewer years left than lived, I wonder what "footprints" I will leave and why at this particular time.
These times are the times which "trouble men's souls." They are perilous times, hard times economically, but times of great faith. Esther was living in a time where her life and the lives of her people were in danger for they were going to be eradicated from the face of the earth. These are God's chosen people. The nation He chose to be a light to the whole world mirroring His power and love.
During Esther's time, the Jews had been in captivity for many years and Esther's husband, the king, following the bad advice of Haman, had decreed the Jews would be killed - men, women and children, all on the same day. King Artaxerxes did not know Esther, his queen, was a Jew and she was afraid to tell him. Under the guidance of her uncle Mordecai, who had raised her, and after fasting and praying, she saw her duty to her God and her people and answered the question of why was she in the royal position at this time by agreeing to try to save herself and her people.
This was her time and place in God's plan for the Jews. What is our time and place in God's plan? What is our time and place in God's plan for the world He created? Like Esther we need to spend time in fasting and praying and seeking God's leadership. Like Esther we need to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to join us in this time of fasting and praying for only by God's strength and power can we shine in this world of darkness and pain.
How can we shine in the darkness? We stay positive and joyful even in a time of negativity and sadness. We encourage our fellow Christians to stand firm in the war against evil and speak out and be heard as we declare God's love for all and His desire to have a personal relationship with every person He created. We remain positive with the knowledge that NOTHING happens to us or in the world which God does not know and is there to guide us through the turmoil. Nothing happens to us that He does not give us His strength to walk through and He is there beside us as we walk the paths.
Most of all, we continue to show God's love in a world that does not know Godly love. This is the love that places others first, loves everyone regardless of race, social position, friend or foe. GOD IS LOVE and we as His children should be Children of Love. We show this by being compassionate, forgiving and courageous in our telling others the Source of our love.
Is this difficult? You know it is but remember, God placed us in His world and this time, in this place to show the world what He can do and who He is to this world He created. Most know the creation but not the creator.
You and I have come to the royal position of being God's child to declare our Father's love to the world and let them know that He can deliver them from the darkness of evil. Eternity with Him is the gift we have, how can we not speak out and tell the world one person at a time.
Stand firm dear sister and brothers and I will join you in fasting and praying for love and courage to speak out to our world.
Amen and amen,
Your sister in Christ
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