As I’ve shared over the past four weeks, God shows favor to those who are willing to carry His purposes and assignments. We see an increase in His grace and favor when our motivations and pursuits align with God’s purpose and calling in our lives.
Let’s continue with our look at Esther.
Esther’s life transforms in an instant! (Esth. 2:8-18)
She’s soaking in the oils, and maybe for the first time, she feels a sense of peace and security. She’s now quite prosperous; she has truly gone from rags to riches!
When prosperity, security, and comfort are present, we risk overlooking our responsibilities and the dangers around us.
The writer of Proverbs says, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Prov. 22:3 NLT
Meanwhile, Mordecai was trying to find a way to inform Esther of the plot (Esth. 4:1-17).
But, he can’t get through the “walls of comfort.” Esther, like many of us today, forgets that God’s blessings are for a purpose. God grants us favor with a purpose: to be a blessing to others.
The American church is blessed—might we be missing His voice “for such a time as this”?
While it is a complex world and a challenging time to be alive, there are God-given opportunities for the church. But we must recognize them and take action!
Paul faced roadblocks on the path to his destiny.
“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” 1 Cor. 16:9 NKJV
Every opportunity will face some opposition and adversity—perseverance is required. The main difference between people who seize their God-given opportunities and those who don’t is that a person of faith can see an opportunity in every adversity. Adversity breeds miracles.
Church, we have opportunities to impact our cities, nations, and the world in this hour. The question is: how will the church respond? In apathy or with action?
Two factors prevent Esther from understanding the purpose of her hour—perhaps the same is true for many in the Western church.
First, Esther was in Denial. She finally felt secure; perhaps she thought to herself, “I don’t want to deal with the possibility of danger.” She felt safe at last. Our human desire for security and safety can override our appetite for risk.
Secondly, Esther was distracted. Like many of us, she became distracted by the blessings of prosperity and forgot her purpose. Comfort and security can be obstacles to fulfilling destiny.
Our safety and security depend on Jesus—not on the world’s economic or political systems. All the wealth in the world can’t prevent natural disasters, wars, or disease.
Here are some guiding verses for us regarding trust and security:
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.” Prov. 18:10-11 AMPC
The Lord is our high tower, our protection and safety. We must learn to lean on Him—Always! Don’t listen to the threats of evil, trust God, and follow him obediently—he is the Great I AM!
Five things that happened to Esther that moved her and changed her.
First, she recognized the reality of the situation. Denial was no more. She was focused now.
Genuine faith doesn’t ignore obstacles; it faces them and says, “but with God, all things are possible!”
Somewhere between Esther 4:14 and 15, Esther awakens! God is sovereign, but he invites us to partner with Him to bring heaven’s realm and rule to earth. The Psalmist writes:
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given (or assigned) to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16
An Esther-and-Mordecai church is emerging, composed of those who know they are loved, adopted, and secure in following God’s will obediently for His purposes.
Second, she didn’t ask advisors, “How much money do we have or can we get the military, etc.?”
She cried out, called for a corporate prayer and fast to hear a word from heaven’s courts to earth’s atmosphere!
We don’t know the truth of any situation until we have heard from Jesus! Prayer that moves heaven is passionate, bold, and courageous.
Esther knew that she needed to hear from God and pray from Heaven to Earth.
Third, she received divine strategy and favor.
Esther asked the King and Haman, “Can I invite you to dinner?” She received divine guidance. God intervened, leading to the execution of the wicked governor Hamann, thwarting the plan that could have caused disaster for the Jews.
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…” Deut. 29:29 NKJV
You need heaven’s strategy. Understand how to listen to His voice and gain divine guidance. This is the foundation of faith—if you can “see it, you can have it!” God is currently empowering His church—providing strategy to those who seek Him.
Fourth, recognize your moment.
“…I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esth. 4:16 NKJV) She recognized her moment, her role for her people.
She had to decide which kingdom to obey. She needed to recognize the moment, seize the opportunity, and risk her safety, status, and comfort.
Breakthroughs are never achieved by those lacking passion and purpose! Opportunities are never seized by the faint of heart.
Some of you, it’s not a choice between good and evil; but rather between risk and normalcy! Why be normal?! To walk on water, you must take risks! Better to be a “wet water walker than a dry boat sitter!”
Jesus said about being His follower,
“23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NKJV
Being his disciple involves risk, not self-preservation. Safety and opportunity rarely go together. Jesus invites us to a “risk-based” discipleship—opposite of comfort and security!
Einstein stated, “Only the one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason, mastery or success demands all of a person.”
You’re in a place of opportunity, with a door opening before you, facing risk and possibly opposition. Will you step through boldly, courageously, and with passion?! Your moment is now to realize your future and influence the world.
Fifth, Have Great Courage.
Esther said, “If I perish, I perish!” She doesn’t react to the atmosphere but shapes it through bold faith and action.
This is not a time to fear or remain on the “sidelines,” but a time to respond with courage and faith to the challenges we face, aiming to change our world through radical Kingdom living and service.
You are an able-bodied minister of Christ—where are you serving?
It’s time to show bold courage for our families and society. Shape the reality of the Kingdom! Esther’s risk proved that God was the source of her security.
How much of your security depends on your possessions, position, or reputation? God has not placed you in your current role just for your own benefit, but to work with Him. Yes, God loves you and wants to bless you, but the blessing also serves a purpose.
Like Esther, this may involve risking your security and sacrificing your comfort, your plans, and more. Are you willing to let God be your ultimate security—for such a time as this?
Can you give God the best of your time, talents, and treasure?
We are alive in our generation for “Such a Time as This.” Like Esther, we have incredible opportunities ahead of us, even amid a complex and challenging world.
To walk through the doors of opportunity in front of you, you must be able to recognize them, have the faith and courage to step through, and never give up! Keep pushing; keep believing so the dream and vision can come true.
Churchill said, “The nose of a bulldog is slanted backwards so he can continue to breathe without letting go!” That’s persistence, and it’s a vital part of faith.
Esther needed to return to her first love: her love for God.
She needed to be reminded that the blessing and favor she received were for a purpose.
What about you? Is God your top priority, and is Jesus the core of your love and devotion? Are you prepared to risk everything to pursue him fully right now?
