purpose in life

Such a Time as This

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this”

Esther 4:14

None of us had a choice in the timing or location of our entrance into this world. We didn’t choose our parents, siblings, ethnicity, country, body shape, eye colour or natural talents. We weren’t consulted about any of these and many other things. The same was true for Esther yet she found herself in a position to affect the future of a dispersed nation. Her cousin, Mordecai, was also in such a position and he took it by the horns. His life was under threat already and he asked Esther to place her own life in jeopardy as well. He reminded her that if she did nothing she would die anyway and she would lose the opportunity to have this vital role in her people’s future.

You and I are here in this world where we are and in this time not of our choosing but, like Esther, God has prepared and placed us for such a time as this. The question we face is the same as that which Esther faced. Will we take the opportunity God has given us and use it to preserve His people and to save others?

To the faithful church in Philadelphia Jesus said, “I know your works. See I have set before you and open door, and no one will shut it; for you have a little strength, kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Revelation 3:8). The circumstances in which we find ourselves are, for those who are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, an open door for ministry to others who belong to Christ and for sharing the Gospel of Christ with others. Yes, there is the possibility of an undesirable reaction from some. Esther put her earthly life on the line. Let us remember that Jesus didn’t just put His life on the line for us, He gave His life as a ransom for us. We know the outcome for Esther and Mordecai but when they were making their choices they didn’t know what they might suffer or what the outcome would be. That is where we are too but “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). We are here in this world, placed where we are with the preparation the Lord has given us, with an open door before us. All that remains is for us to choose whether we will serve Him or not. James tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:20). Genuine faith in Jesus Christ is will be seen in how we minister to one another and reach out to others in such a time as this.

Invisible Target

“Then the multitude rose up against them [Paul & Silas]; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison.

Acts 16:22-23

It is said that “where there is smoke, there is fire” – which is meant to insinuate that if a person is accused there must be some basis for the accusation. In this incident what terrible thing had Paul and Silas done to merit such cruel treatment? They had delivered a slave girl from demonic possession (v 18). Surely that should merit favourable treatment! But no; it hit the hip pocket of her owners who were using her for their own financial gain. The trouble Paul and Silas brought to the city was loss of immoral financial gain.

We can expect similar treatment today. When we speak against abortion those who are hurt financially will want to silence us. When we speak against suicide for the old, sick and infirm those who will benefit financially will want to silence us. If we speak against prostitution and slavery those who benefit will oppose us.

Paul and Silas were continuing the ministry and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ who came to set captives free. Of course they didn’t deserve such treatment but we shouldn’t expect anything different in a world that is under the delusion of the spirit of antichrist and the power of Satan.

When attempts are made to silence opposition to murder and slavery – which includes abortion, euthanasia and sexual enslavement – does it mean that God is unable to keep us? In no way! Indeed, Paul and Silas accepted it as wounds for Christ and sang hymns and songs in worship and praise because they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake (v 25).  Not only that, but it was the Holy Spirit’s way of getting Paul and Silas into the prison so that they could preach Jesus to the jailer and his household in such a way that they would come to faith in Jesus (v 34). We wouldn’t have chosen that way and neither would Paul and Silas but it was the way that God knew would succeed. We may wonder at times about the path God has chosen for us, which may include suffering, but we can’t see what God is aiming at. We can take heart like Paul and Silas and keep singing praise and worshiping the Lord. In due time we will see where the Lord was leading and His purpose.