Esther: An Orphan Who Saved A Nation

[Pause]

Esther then asks the king to overrule the edict initiated by Haman to destroy all the Jews. The king happily agrees and a new royal edict is issued that all the Jews in every province throughout all Persia are to be protected and have the right to defend themselves from any and all attackers.

Esther continues to find favor with the king. Mordecai is elevated to second in command of the Xerxes’ kingdom. And all the Jews in every region, throughout all Persia celebrated. There was feasting and joy and gladness in all the land for the Jews had been spared.

A happy ending to a remarkable story full of twists and turns and plots and deception, which resulted in ultimate victory for God’s people.

[Pause]

So what are the practical applications we can glean from the story of Esther and apply to our own lives? Well, there are at least five things we can glean from this little book that will help us in our walk with the Lord.

First, we see that God will put us in the right place at the right to serve him and to accomplish his will. For example: It’s not coincidental that Mordecai overhears two of the kings guards plotting Xerxes execution. The fact that God had Mordecai in the right place at the right time to stop the assassination of the king was very important for the future of the Jews.

Second, Esther is another good example of God having his person in the right place at the right time. An edict from the king himself has gone out to destroy the Jews. Mordecai knows it’s no veiled threat; the lives of God’s people are in grave danger. Mordecai says to Esther, “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.” Meaning, to save God’s people from destruction.

It’s no accident that Esther becomes queen when she did. God placed Esther in the right place at the right time to carry out his will and his plan for the salvation of his people. Mordecai knew that, and Esther learned it.

[Pause]

The same holds true for us. God has us in the right place at the right time to serve him and bring about the fulfillment of his will. It’s not coincidental that you work where you do. It’s not fate that you live in the neighborhood you live in. Your lives, your relationships, your jobs, your friends, your everything is not just dumb- luck. It’s providence. God has something for you to do. God has placed you where you’re at to be an influence for him in the lives of the people with whom you come in contact.

It’s no accident that you’re here this morning. God has something for you today. God wants something of you today. He wants your heart. He wants you to say yes to him. And as we say yes to God, he is going to use us, every one of us, to accomplish his purpose in us and in the lives of others.

God gives us small whispers of awareness that we are where he wants us to be. God may say to us that we are to continue where we are at, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. He may tell us to move on or forward.

The reality is that sometimes the place we expect or want to be will be different than where God has us in that moment. But we have the assurance that God will use us where we’re at as long as we’re living for him. I want to assure you my friends, God is with you and he has something for you to do for his kingdom.