This week we will look again at Esther 4. Remember, Esther is an orphan girl who was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. She was exalted to the highest position that any woman could have in the entire world at that time. God went on to use her and Mordecai to save the entire Jewish race from genocide. Just like God used them, He can use you to make a difference as well. Let’s look at how they did it:
Humbly
In verse 14, Mordecai tells Esther, “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place….” Mordecai is clear that deliverance will come. If Esther keeps silent, God will rescue them through someone else. God can and will use anyone, but He doesn’t need us to accomplish His will. The only person that His plans are completely dependent upon is Jesus Christ. Moses was replaced by Joshua, David by Solomon, Elijah by Elisha. He will continue to build His church, even as each generation of saints passes away. The plans, purposes, and mission of God are not dependent upon any person. God does not need us to accomplish His work, He lets us be a part of it!
Confidently
Mordecai tells Esther, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (v. 14). God invites people into a relationship with Him in order for them to partner with Him to do His mission. God doesn’t have to use people, but He chooses to. Although God’s name is not mentioned, Mordecai speaks of His providence. Esther has come to this exact position at this exact moment for this exact reason. It is no coincidence that you live where you live or that you live at this moment in history. God determined where you would live and when. Your position and place in this world, and the timing of it, are all part of God’s sovereign plan. Are you willing to be used by Him to accomplish His purposes?
Prayerfully
In verse 16, Esther calls a fast. They fasted and prayed for three days. She needed wisdom and courage, so she went to the source of wisdom and strength. It is dangerous to think we can do the will of God apart from the power of God! God will use us, but His mission is bigger than what we can do on our own. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Like we saw last week, we need to cry out to God.
Relationally
Esther had Mordecai assemble all the Jews. We can’t make a difference on our own! Mordecai and Esther leveraged their relationships to accomplish God’s purposes. Mordecai used his relationship with Esther. Esther leveraged her relationship with the King. You will find yourself in different relationships with parents, teachers, siblings, friends, pastors, employers, co-workers, etc. God has sovereignly placed you in those relationships so that you can advance His kingdom’s purposes and mission. Don’t waste the influence you have in people’s lives. Use it for good! Don’t be like Haman. Don’t use your influence for sin, selfishness, revenge, or evil, but instead, to promote what is good, lasting, and eternal.
Courageously
In verse 16, Esther says, “I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” Few things will keep you from living for God like fear. We’re afraid of failure and rejection, or to put ourselves out there and take a risk. Esther shows us what it looks like to obey God in spite of the perceived dangers. Esther was willing to die in order to accomplish God’s purposes. She would rather die than waste her life.
God doesn’t need us. If we don’t follow Him, He will use someone else. In the meantime, we will waste our lives. But, God invites us to get in on His plan and allows us to be used for the greatest mission of all. Join Him humbly, confidently, prayerfully, relationally, and courageously!