Week 34: Called in Such a Time as This.

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:



*Sunday: Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22
*Monday: Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24
*Tuesday: Job 1:1-3:26, 1 Corinthians 14:1-17, Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 21:25-26
*Wednesday: Job 4:1-7:21, 1 Corinthians 14:18-40, Psalm 37:30-40, Proverbs 21:27
*Thursday: Job 8:1-11:20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-28, Psalm 38:1-22, Proverbs 21:28-29
*Friday: Job 12:1-15:35, 1 Corinthians 15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 21:30-31
*Saturday: Job 16:1-19:29, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, Psalm 40:1-10, Proverbs 22:1

Scripture: Esther 4:14
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?"

Observation:
The book of Esther could have equally well be called the "book of Mordechai". Mordechai was Esther's uncle, who took her into his home when her parents died, and who suggested for her to apply for the position of Queen, wife of king Xerxes, who ruled over the kingdom of Media and Persia. It kind of is a fairy tale... Esther does earn the favor of the King, and becomes his wife. And everyone lived happily ever after. Well,... until one of the nobles, Haman, comes up with a plan to exterminate all the Jews, because of Mordechai.

This would be nothing less than a major tragedy, and Mordechai clothes himself in sackcloth to display his mourning. Esther doesn't understand at first why he behaves this way, but then finds out about Haman's evil plan. Mordechai instructs her to approach the king about this, but Esther comes up with an excuse (4:11). That's when Mordechai tells Esther how grave the situation is in the verse above.

Application:
I love how practical Mordechai is. He tells it how it is: "If you keep silent, God will provide an alternative, but you and your family will die. And by the way, has it ever occurred to you that God might have given you the position of queen so that you were in a position to save us from all this??"

What is it that God has called you to be in such a time as this? Has he called you in a certain position that allows you to use your gifts, talents, and resources to expand his kingdom, and save some people from eternal death? That's a deep question, and I challenge you to ponder that this week. It's something that's on my mind for sure. God has give all of us abilities (read 1 Corinthians 12 this week!). How are you using those gifts to expand his kingdom?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving us gifts through your Holy Spirit. I pray that you help us to recognize the gifts you have given us, the resources that you have given us, and the position you have placed us in that allows us to reach people for You. Help us to capitalize on those opportunities. In the strong name of Jesus Christ.

Have a great week, and please remember to pray for our Thrive mission team that is going out this week to serve God in a very practical way.

In Him,

Dick