Imagine having the fate of an entire nation hanging in the balance...and it all depended on your brave "yes" to God? If anyone understood this kind of dilemma, it was Esther. She was an underdog. She entered the king's court in disguise, went through months of (probably painful) beauty treatments, and was miraculously favored and chosen above her competition to become queen. But the favor on her life wasn't just for her benefit. God chose her to deliver her people, the Jews, from a wicked plot of genocide. A task only fit for a queen in favorable standing with a powerful king. I started thinking about Esther the other day because a prophetic happening occurred. I kept catching the clock at 4:14 - and finally it struck me! I felt the Holy Spirit was reminding me of that verse in Esther 4:14:
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” -Mordecai to Esther
This is spoken to Esther by her uncle Mordecai. It is her deciding moment: will she step into destiny? Will she face potential death to save her people? As I pondered this moment from Esther's story, I began to wonder about it's significance for us today. Suddenly, a thought struck me! I think we are about to enter into the Feast of Lots on the Jewish Calendar, otherwise known as Purim. This feast is a time to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews by the bravery and obedience of Queen Esther. Interesting fact: It's called the Feast of Lots because the wicked Haman cast lots (kind of like a lottery) to determine which day he would annihilate the entire race of the Jews. His plan failed, and with Purim, we've been celebrating ever since! A quick Google search revealed to me that indeed, Purim is right around the corner! It begins Thursday night, February 25th and Ends Friday, February 26th.
So what is the prophetic significance for us and how can we practically apply it to our lives today?
Step Into Your Esther Moment
Like Esther, God is preparing us for our own divine kairos moments. Kairos time is we suddenly enter into God's miraculous timing to see a shift or break through occur.
Here are 5 ways to step into your Esther Moment:
1. Accept your divine calling.
Esther had every reason to disqualify herself from her royal position. She shouldn't have even been brought into the palace because she was a Jew! However, when God calls us, he qualifies us. He makes a way where there is literally no way. And he makes beautiful stories out of the chaos of it all! What is the destiny God is calling you to step into in this season? Is there a dream, a skill, a mission he has put on your heart - but you've been putting it off out of fear? If you're facing a massive obstacle or challenge... that may be the very thing God wants to use to set you up for a miracle. It's time to let go of fear and say "yes" as you step into your God-given destiny.
2. Bravely obey God.
Esther had a tough choice to make. She couldn't just think about the ramifications on herself - she had to think of how her action - or inaction - would affect her entire people group! She chose to obey God, and that took bravery. Like Esther, God will often ask us to do hard and holy things. This is part of our sanctification process. It is part of consecrating ourselves to him and his purposes. What if God is calling you to obey him - because there is someone - or a whole group of people - that will be affected by your obedience to God? Your "yes" to God isn't just about you - it's about those God wants to touch through your life. You have a glorious calling.
3. Speak up!
Mordecai's challenge to Esther began with, "If you remain silent at this time..." Esther had a choice: she could either use her voice or passively sit by and watch her people die.
Have you ever let fear keep you from using your voice? Maybe you wanted to keep the peace. Maybe you were afraid of being misunderstood. Maybe you were intimidated into being quiet. I want to encourage you that God has given you a voice for a reason! In the times we are in, it will take more and more boldness to speak up - but that is exactly what God is calling us to.
4. Resolve to take the leap of faith—no matter the outcome.
Esther knew what she had to do. Here's her response to her uncle in Esther 4:16: "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish." If I die, I die. This was it. Esther had resolved what she would do. She must approach the king with her unlawful request. It is here that we must realize that God may ask us to go against the culture of the day. Could it be that God is raising up deliverers who will seek His will that will not seem "lawful" in our times? But what if their bravery will save the lives of many and shift the course of nations? Will we choose to fear man - or God?
Trust me, I know it's a tall order. Facing prison? Death? We may be facing other giants: being rejected by friends and family or slander and ridicule.
But if God asks you to be bold - in your workplace, in your community, in your city, in your nation - he will empower you with strength and joy to do His will. He's looking for willing and weak vessels that he can empower with boldness to impact the nations - so why not you? Jesus is worthy, and any cost he asks us to pay is worth it for the sake of His plan.
5. Let God deal with your enemies.
Here was the original plot the wicked Haman devised: “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.” Skipping ahead in the story, Haman hung on the very gallows he created for Mordecai. And Mordecai? He got the royal treatment that Haman was planning for himself! When we choose to follow God's way and let him give us vengeance and justice - the results will be supernaturally miraculous. He IS and always has been a righteous and just judge. His justice may seem late, but he has the perfect timing. Obey God and trust him with the outcome of the injustice you are facing! He specializes in writing exciting plot twists and good endings.
The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
The feast of Purim falls in the Jewish month of Adar, which speaks of strength. This month also has traditional saying that goes with it: "when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy."
All to say, with the month of Adar and the feast of Purim, we are reminded that "the Joy of the Lord is our strength." What a perfect reminder for our current season!
Like Esther, God is calling you to greatness for the times we are in. His joy will be your strength as you step into the divine moment he is preparing you for.
While it may seem dark outside, God is truly making his people ready to arise and shine for his glory. I truly believe we are going to see God move with awakening and revival in the days ahead - and I want to be ready and watching to be used of God - don't you? Give God a renewed "yes" today, and watch what he does in and through you!
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Blog tags: Prophetic, prophetic words, Prophetic ministry, prophetic word of the year, prophetic gift, daily devotional, prophetic words 2023, prophetic message, Esther 4:14, for such a time as this, Queen Esther Devotional
