Welcome!
Date: Monday, July 19, 2010
Today: A time to speak!
Passage: Esther 4: 12-14 NIV
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 royal position for such a time as this?” (emphasis added)
Everybody knows something about the story of Esther
Esther was in a comfortable position
She was not affected by the law that was declared against the Jews (Esther 3:8-15), because she was in a protected environment, as a queen in the Palace
Many a time, I see people who are not concerned about what’s happening to others, because they are in a certain position or location where everything looks much safer
In many parts of the world, believers are going through much persecution
The other day, someone was sharing that it is only in about 20 countries of the world, where Christians can really worship God without much fear
But even that number is coming down
We live in a unique time
We hear about so many accidents and sudden deaths happening around us
Yesterday, as we went for a viewing, somebody was mentioning that in the last three weeks, there has been four or more deaths connected to their church
Do not forget that satan is working non-stop, even as we sleep spiritually
These are the days we should fast and pray more
Esther was reminded by Mordecai, not to take it too easy, as the law was passed to kill all the Jews of the land
Esther decided to talk to the king. Before that she asked all her people to fast for three days
Before talking to the king, she talked with the King of kings
Before we talk any important thing to an important person, Pray!
God will talk to that person even before we go there
Impossible things will become possible, as you speak
But just praying is not enough
You have to act/speak to the right person when you have to
Many people keep quiet when they have to speak!
They want to continue their life of comfort, disregarding what is happening to others
But Mordecai is reminding Esther, that she cannot escape the hand of God, if she does not speak at that particular time
There was a time in the past, when God told Moses to stop crying and walk forward (Exodus 14:15)
So, there is a time to cry unto the Lord; but there is also a time to stop crying and do something, as the Lord tells us
They were at the banks of red sea, with Pharaoh coming from behind
That time also, situation was similar
Someone was chasing the Israelites and their very life
These days are days to cry unto God, for God’s children all over the world
You may be thinking that you are still safe and that your freedom will last for ever
It won’t. Things are changing faster than you think
So, get on your knees and cry for the people and the children
Sometimes you may be in a position where your words can make a difference to somebody. Do it
Be of help to somebody. If we can get a job for a jobless person, or something we can do to help others, do it (Isaiah 58)
It is not easy. But it can make a difference to somebody’s life, for good
God bless
BG
Prayer: Lord, bless others. All this time, I have been praying, “Bless me and mine”. But now, I pray for the persecuted ones, persecuted for your sake, all over the world. Thank you for the freedom we have, as of today. Amen