Bridge to Esther

Esther 4:13-14

God’s Providence

13. Then Mordecai sent back Esther’s servant, Hatach, with another message, and commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews, because you happen to be the queen.

14. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace, if you say or do nothing at this time, then shall there enlargement, help, and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place—God will bring deliverance through some other means; but thou and thy father’s house, you and your family, shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time, or reason, as this?

Something to think about:

Mordecai reminded Esther that nothing happens by chance. Often he must have been puzzled about what had taken place in the last five or six years. What amazing changes had come in the life of his beloved Hadassah! From being an orphan, she became the queen of the great nation of Persia!

Nothing happens by chance; but why things happen often remains a secret. Maybe now it began to dawn on Mordecai’s mind that all these amazing events were part of God’s big plan! So his message to Esther was clear, “Stand up and speak! Don’t be silent! Who knows, maybe this is the reason you became queen—so you can be used by God to accomplish His work of deliverance.”

God’s ways are often a puzzle, also about people we read of in the Bible. Young Joseph didn’t understand why he had to be sold into slavery, thrown in prison and finally promoted to top governor—until he saw his brothers in need!

This story of Esther is to strengthen your conviction that nothing falls outside of God’s control. No detail of your life is random or by chance. The Persian Beauty Contest, no matter how wrong, was still under God’s control.

As you read this, many things are happening in your circle of life or in the world around you. There are newspaper articles about wars, diseases, crimes, earthquakes or about bad laws that are made. Never forget that the Almighty God of heaven and earth is behind these stories. God never approves of evil, yet He guides evil things so that they bring about good. God brings amazing good out of what we call bad.

Mordecai reminded Esther of her calling. She could do something which he could never do, nor any other Jew. Her position made it possible for her to approach the king and request him to reverse the terrible law of Haman.

History is full of examples of people whom God used single-handedly to make a big difference. Take Martin Luther for an example. His courage to stand up for God’s truth was greatly blessed to the whole world through the Reformation. Think of Daniel’s courage to stand up for what was right. Three others joined him. As a result, all the people of the world were commanded to worship the true God. Soon we will read about Esther’s solo action and what God did through it for the Jews’ deliverance.

Never doubt God’s hand in every detail of your life. Trust Him to have a wise purpose for everything He does or allows. He never expects you to understand His purpose but He calls you to trust Him. That may seem impossible as every aspect of your life seems to work together against you. God often works through the impossible. Looking back later, you may understand what He did and adore Him.

Even if you are to stand up alone against great evil, remember Esther!