Esther stood in the inner court of the palace. (Esther 5:1)
Before her was the throne of the King. Having not been called into his presence for thirty days, standing there without having been summoned could cost her her life.
What brought her to this place? What did she have to offer that could spare her life? Was the cause bigger than her? Was this the purpose of her life? Sometimes, we have to make decisions that could be very costly. Sometimes, we have to decide what our purpose is here.
We, as believers, must take stock of our Christian walk.
Are we fulfilling God’s good and perfect will?
Do we have an understanding or discernment of our calling?
Do we know that in this season of our lives, we might be called to the kingdom for such a time as this?
During this time of captivity, four young men had to ask themselves the same question. (Daniel 1:8-13) Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captives from Israel under the Babylonian King. The decisions that they would make early on in their captivity could cost them their lives. At the same time, their decision to not eat the meat from the King’s table because of their convictions would change everything in their lives and mark them as called to the kingdom for such a time as this.
Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world., but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Esther stood in the presence of a king who held her life in his hands. He could hold out the scepter in his hands, and she would be granted his presence and her life to petition him. He could also have declared her a threat, and her life would have been taken instantly.
Esther had to be willing to lose everything to gain everything. The above verse in Romans comes alive here, as she had to be willing to become a living sacrifice if needed for God’s perfect will.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to be willing to sacrifice their lives as they faced the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:8-18)
Being called to the kingdom for such a time as this is a price and a sacrifice. We have to be willing to give all if needed to accomplish the best. If Esther had regarded her life, she would never have stood before the King. There would have been a great slaughter amongst the Jewish people, and as stated, deliverance would have to come by another way (Esther 4:13-17), but only after the damage was done.
Daniel decided not to be defiled by the meat from the King’s table. Because of this, he would save not only his life but the lives of his three friends. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would see the miracle of God and walk with the fourth man in the fire. This righteous decision not to let the circumstances of their captivity alter their faith and spiritual resolve was the factor that promoted them all into the King’s court.
The price was their faith. They stood for a righteous cause that was bigger than themselves.
When the King saw Esther, she received great favor from him. He was moved by compassion because of her willingness to lose everything, and the nation was saved by it. (Esther 5:2)
We stand in a time in this nation when great revival is needed and with the nations of the world in desperation for the word of God. Heaven is on the move to bring in the most excellent harvest ever. But to do this, there must be people who, like these saints of old, are willing to lose all to gain all.
In Philippians 3:9-12, Paul writes, “…and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. If by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me.”
Paul had the picture of glory before him, and he stood to complete the reason why he was called to the kingdom for such a time as this. Our ability to be effective this season can only come from our resolve. Jesus stated in Matthew 16:24; “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Esther, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrust into their seasons by the circumstances surrounding them. They had to make the godly spiritual decisions to stand their ground, pray, and trust God. They knew their decisions could cost their lives, but they chose to stand their ground.
You and I may not come into our purpose in any of these ways, but we are responsible for preparing ourselves and being in a place where God could call you up at any time.
Colossians 1:9-11; “For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy.”
David was found in a sheepfold, and Gideon was found threshing wheat in a wine press. When responding in obedience, each one stepped into their “For Such a Time As This.” When we’re in the place of doing, when we’re in a place where we have the word of God in our hearts, and in the place where we are ready to say yes to the simple call of God, then you have become the candidate that is ready to do whatever is needed to see accomplished all that God has called to be fulfilled.
Believers now is the season to yield ourselves as living sacrifices to God for His will. Now is the time to be in the place of readiness to be able to be used effectively for His kingdom. Now is the time to be fully available to enter our season as individuals and the church. The saints of old stepped into theirs and accomplished exploits. And if they did and saw great things from God. Then, indeed, it’s our time to step up and be prepared to walk in our season of “For Such A Time As This!”
Great blessings,
