Are You Missing Your Divine Appointment?
The Bible has much to say about courage, and one of the most powerful examples comes from an unlikely source: a young Jewish queen who had to choose between her own safety and saving her people. Have you ever wondered if you're living in your "for such a time as this" moment? In one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture, we find Queen Esther facing the greatest decision of her life. The fate of an entire nation hangs in the balance, and God is asking one woman to step up with extraordinary courage.
What does the Bible say about courage? It reveals that true biblical courage isn't the absence of fear—it's choosing to do right regardless of the consequences. Through Esther's bold decision in chapter 4, we discover timeless principles about stepping into our God-given purpose with righteous bravery.
But here's what might surprise you: this isn't just Esther's story. It's yours too.
The Hidden God Who Works Through Ordinary People
What makes the book of Esther so fascinating is what's not mentioned. You won't find God's name anywhere in these chapters. You won't see prayer explicitly mentioned. Yet God's fingerprints are all over this narrative, working behind the scenes through ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.
In Esther 4:14, Mordecai delivers one of the most powerful challenges in Scripture: "For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place... And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Deliverance from "Another Place"
When Mordecai speaks of deliverance coming from "another place," he's making a veiled reference to God's dwelling place. Looking at 1 Kings 8, we see Solomon dedicating the temple - that earthly meeting place where heaven touched earth. Solomon acknowledged the beautiful paradox: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (1 Kings 8:27)
Just as Jesus Christ became the ultimate temple - the meeting place between God and man - Mordecai understood that deliverance would come from God's dwelling place, whether the people stepped up or not.
Biblical Courage from Esther's Bold Decision - Three Life-Changing Principles
1. God's Work Will Continue With or Without You
Mordecai's confidence is striking: "We're going to be delivered, Esther. The question is, are you going to be part of the deliverance process or part of the casualty process?"
This truth should both comfort and challenge us. God's kingdom purposes will advance whether we participate or not. But wouldn't you hate to miss out on the opportunity to play a part in what God is doing?
2. Nothing Happens Without Entering the King's Presence
"Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Mordecai didn't know exactly how God would work, but he knew one thing for certain: "If you don't enter the presence of that king, nothing's happening through you, Esther."
The same principle applies to us today. Do you want spiritual growth? Do you want to see God work through your life? If we're not willing to step into the presence of the King through prayer, fasting, and faithful service, we shouldn't expect God to use us.
3. Righteous Courage Requires Counting the Cost
Esther's response reveals the heart of a true servant: "And so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16).
She understood martyrdom. She counted the cost. She knew there was no guarantee of success, but she had peace about it because she was committed to doing right regardless of the consequences.
Your "For Such a Time as This" Moment
The Power of Corporate Fasting and Prayer
Esther didn't go it alone. She called for the entire Jewish community in Shushan to fast with her: "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise" (Esther 4:16).
In our culture of abundance, we've lost the spiritual discipline of fasting. We panic when food prices double, but we couldn't imagine going without for spiritual purposes. Yet fasting weakens our flesh so we don't think we're so tough and rely on the Lord more.
Breaking the Law to Do Right
Esther made a decision to approach the king illegally. She was willing to commit an act of righteous rebellion because lives were at stake. Sometimes doing right means being willing to break man's law to honor God's higher law.
Revealing Your True Identity
Here's Esther's situation: She was a Jew living as a Gentile, about to make known who she really was. Sound familiar? How many Christians today are living like they're lost, afraid to reveal their true identity?
We have people who claim to be Christians, but nobody knows they're Christians because they're living like the world. It's hard for those Christians to step out and reveal who they really are.
What Time Is It for You?
If you saw someone trapped in a burning car on the side of the road, you wouldn't turn to your spouse and say, "You know what? I'm really just not called to this." You'd act immediately to save a life.
Yet we're willing to help save someone's body from burning but hesitant to help save souls from perishing forever in a lake of fire. It's called priorities.
What time is it? There are people lost, their souls on their way to hell. That's what time it is for us. It's time to do something.
The Risk is Real
Worldwide, 365 million Christians face persecution, discrimination, violence, or restriction of religious freedom. Some face death. God is asking you to count the cost and take the risk, knowing that you possibly could die young for standing up for Jesus.
Your life could be shortened by standing for Christ. That's how Christians think when they live for others, not just for themselves.
From Commanded to Commander
Notice the beautiful transformation in Esther 4:17: "So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him."
Up until this point, Esther did what Mordecai commanded. Now it's reversed. Why? Because she's not a little girl anymore. If she's willing to risk her life to do what Mordecai asks, Mordecai is willing to risk his life to do what Esther asks.
This principle of mutual submission appears throughout Scripture. In 1 Peter 5:5, we read: "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
Your Divine Appointment Awaits
Esther used the strength of her femininity. She wasn't trying to be someone she wasn't - she was stepping into her God-given purpose with courage and grace.
Young people, let no man despise your youth. It is right for you to be an example. It is right for you to serve the Lord as a young person and develop your own walk with God.
The question isn't whether God can use you - it's whether you'll step into His presence and make yourself available.
Are you ready to say, "If I perish, I perish," and step into your "for such a time as this" moment?
🎧✨ Want to dive deeper into this powerful message? This blog post only scratches the surface of the rich, expository preaching found in the complete sermon. For the full verse-by-verse bible teaching experience, including additional insights on fasting, biblical submission, and practical applications for Christian living, we humbly encourage you to listen to the entire message here. There's so much more biblical truth waiting to be discovered in this compelling exposition of Esther 4!