“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think to
yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than
all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and
deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and
your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have
not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ Then Esther
told them to reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, hold a fast on my behalf, and
do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young
women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though
it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.’ Mordecai then went
away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.” Esther 4:13-17
Insight
Esther found herself at a rather difficult time during the
reign of Ahasuerus. Grief and mourning due to Haman’s evil
plan enveloped the Jews. Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, appealed
to Esther to go before the King and seek the deliverance of
the Jews. Esther had to decide. Would she risk her life and go
before the king on behalf of her people, or would she stay silent
in the face of overwhelming odds?
Mordecai encourages her that God had placed her there “for
such a time as this” to bring about the salvation of the Jews and that she must act. Esther’s response to his plea shows
great leadership. At great cost, Esther trusted that God is
sovereign over her future and decided to speak to the king for
her people, while simultaneously calling the Jews to three days
of fasting and praying.
Esther’s decision could not have been easy. In fact, speaking
the truth when great personal harm is at stake rarely is. But
Esther knew that there are some things in life that are more
important than her own personal safety and prosperity, and she
trusted that God would take care of her. All she needed was to
do the right thing.
Prayer
Father, we pray today that You would arm each of us with the
knowledge that we are placed here, at this time, to speak out
boldly and to pray and fast fervently for our country as we enter
another election season. We pray that Christians would be bold
to speak the truth, no matter the personal cost, and that You
would help us all to choose well! In Jesus’ name, Amen
