When I began Bible Study Fellowship in the Fall of 2017, we studied my favorite book of the New Testament, Romans. During our small group time of answering the questions, we began talking about the state of the world. We began to share our thoughts of how society as a whole and America specifically, were abandoning the Bible and its moral absolutes, definitely a downer. (Seven years later it's even more predominant, but that's a blog for a different day.) In our small group, we have a wide range of ages, from gray-haired women like myself, to moms of littles. One of the older ladies commented how she felt badly for young moms having to raise their children in today's culture of ever-increasing hostility towards Christians. One of the young moms said boldly,
"Oh no, don't feel badly for me because, like Queen Esther, my children were born for such a time as this." That bold statement sucked the air out of the room and humbled us older, "wiser" women; to this day, I can feel the impact of her statement and it stirs in my spirit.
Queen Esther wasn't always a queen, she was a young Jewish woman who was being raised by her uncle Mordecai after the death of her parents. She was plucked from obscurity and became the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, but she never disclosed that she was a Jew. With all the intrigue of a modern day soap opera, there are elements of envy, ruthlessness and ambition as one man in particular, Haaman, whom the King has elevated to prominance, plots against the Jews, issuing a pogram. When the date of the execution of all the Jews had been set, Mordecai told Esther that she alone can change the mind of the King. He tells her,
"Perhaps you were born for such a time as this." Esther 4:14. God granted favor to Esther, she approaches the King and reveals that she is a Jew. By the book's conclusion, Haaman has been dealt with, Mordecai has been elevated, and the Nation of Israel has been saved. One woman dared to seek God, ask for His favor and then was bold to stand for what is right. To this day, Purim is celebrated as a day of rememberence when the Jews were delivered.
Fast forward to this year, and in Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the book of Revelation. Rather than attempt to predict a timeline for future events, we are focusing on the supremacy of Christ. However, you can't help but compare the warnings issued to the churches, to the times we live in today. Throw in an election year and a lot of people I know, are feeling very anxious. Yesterday, the verse from Esther popped into my head once again and I remembered the bold statement that young mom made years ago. I've always related to this story as to how it applies to my children raising our grandchildren, but suddenly the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I am included in this as well. I've been true and consistent in everyday matters, but I never saw myself as being placed at this moment in time, for a specific reason. As long as I am on this earth, God has a purpose and a calling for me as well, when it comes to standing up for the things of God. I'm not disconnected or a spectator of this life and its current events, but rather, I'm on the front line of a spiritual battle.
How blessed we are, that we do not fight our battles alone. Jehovah Nissi, "The Lord is our banner", goes before us and fights for us. Regardless of what goes on in the world around us, God does not tell us to stand idly by and accept the ever-increasing godlessness around us. Over and over, we are told to "stand firm", and never let go of our faith, our hope and our trust. Grounded in the Living, Unchanging, Omnipotent God, we have nothing to fear. I know that God is in control of who is in control.
