“You Have A Choice”

BIBLE READING: Esther 4-7

                When Mordecai had discovered the wicked plot of Haman to eradicate the Jews, Mordecai turned straight to God.  Esther 4 describes how Mordecai “tore his clothes, put on sack cloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly” (Esther 4.1). That behavior describes what someone would do when they were overwhelmed with grief and pain.  In fact, it is a common theme throughout the Old Testament to symbolize humility, remorse, and cry for God’s help. Although “God” isn’t mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther, His fingerprints are all over it.  As Mordecai informs Esther of the plot, he begins to see her situation as an opportunity instead of a problem.  He encourages her to go before the King and ask for the king to reconsider his edict. He senses that Esther’s situation could be used an instrument of God’s providence.  His words of encouragement to Esther, “who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4.14), must have made an impact. His plea helps her to see that maybe her entire situation had seemed so strange and out of place, that a Jew would become queen, was actually God’s way of allowing Esther the opportunity to bring salvation to her people.  We have all been placed in whatever situation we are in for a reason.  Whether in heartache, pain, or times when everything seems out of control, we all have a choice to allow God to use us to accomplish His good.  Just look at your current situation, whatever it is, and ask God to use you to accomplish His will.