For Such a Time as This

The next chapter in Voices of the True Woman Movement is again written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  The basis, as you may have guessed from the title, is the story of Esther in the Old Testament.  The story of a true woman.  Nancy has done a fabulous radio series on Esther, and this chapter reminded me of the some of the lessons I learned in that series!

Nancy starts with the premise that there are always two “dramas” – the one that we see, or the human plot, and the one that we don’t see, or the invisible working of the Kingdom of God.  I needed to be reminded of that, because too many times I look only around me at what I can see, and I forget to look up and trust that God is at work in ways that I cannot see.

While discussing the rise of Esther from the position of unknown Jewess to queen of Persia, Nancy makes this comment:

“And we see that this story is really about God and His agenda, God and His aims, God and His purposes.  ‘What is God up to?’ That’s what really matters.

In looking at the circumstances in Mordecai’s life, we are reminded that nothing happens by chance.  God, in His providence, is always in control, even when things seem unjust and unfair.

Of course, the heart of Esther’s story is that crisis moment when she must decide if she will approach the king on behalf of her people, risking her own life in the process.  The verse for which this chapter is named is Mordecai’s response to Esther’s crossroad of faith: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (not KJV)

“Whatever your season of life, your marital status, your vocation, your natural gifting, you have been given privileges, opportunities, and a place in the kingdom—the kingdom of man—at this time, to be used to further the Kingdom of God.”  How often we fail to see the big picture, and realize that everything we do in this visible, temporal world is to be done with eternity in mind!

I also like the comparison that Nancy makes between Esther and the Lord Jesus.  Esther was willing to leave the palace and risk her life to save her people.  Jesus did leave His palace in heaven and gave up His life to save you and me. 

Lessons from this chapter:

1. We are in a battle.
2. The weapons and tactics of the earthly, human kingdom are different than the weapons and tactics of the heavenly Kingdom.
3. God has a sovereign, redemptive plan, and it will not fail.
4. Through faith and obedience, you can be part of God’s plan.
5. No situation is so desperate that God cannot redeem it.
6. Don’t judge the outcome of the battle by the way things look right now.

So as women fighting against the popular culture, striving to be true women, we need to remember the lessons learned from Esther!a