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No Coincidences
The story of Esther
Dr. James Merritt
“. . . for such a time as this.”
Description
We can choose to go with the flow or
choose to believe God has been guiding our every step, bringing us to this
place for such a time as this-to accomplish His purposes.
“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?” Esther 4:14.
If you have never read the Old
Testament book of Esther, you should.
It is an amazing story of God’s perfect
timing and His providence in all things.
Esther was just an ordinary Jewish
girl, who God used in extraordinary ways to preserve His people, Israel.
As you read the story of Esther, you
will see that the events of her life, some big and some small, led her to
exactly where God wanted her to be.
As the wife of a king, she was
fulfilling God’s purpose not only for her life, but also for the nation of
Israel.
God used Esther to keep the covenant He
had made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants forever.
Her uncle, Mordecai, asked Esther a
crucial question, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position
for such a time as this?”
In other words, her being queen was no
coincidence. It was God who put her in that place, at that time, so that she
could influence the king.
Notice that Mordecai makes sure to tell
Esther that God’s plan for His people is not contingent on her.
He says, “If you remain silent,
relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place...”
God does not need Esther, but He wants
to use her for His glory.
If Esther had chosen not to speak up
for God’s people, He still would have delivered them... but her history would
have been drastically altered.
In Isaiah 46:11, God says: “From the
east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that I will
do.”
The Mighty Creator has all things at
his disposal. He can use anyone and anything to accomplish His plans.
And yet, this gracious, sovereign God
chose to use a Jewish girl named Esther to save His people.
And He has chosen to use you and I as
well.
Like Esther, we have a choice. We can
choose to go with the flow — to live predictable, safe, comfortable lives.
Or, we can choose to believe that God
has been guiding our every step, bringing us to this place for such a time as
this — to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His Word in our families, our
communities, our workplaces, and in our world.
Almighty God, I know that You have a
plan for my life.
I am choosing to believe, today, that
regardless of past mistakes, regrets, or hardships, You have always been in
control of my life.
I now willingly surrender to Your
lordship over me. Please use me, Father, as You see fit.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
James Merritt is the host of Touching Lives and one of the most
dynamic, Gospel-centered preachers on air today. Dr. Merritt strives each week
to deliver God's truths in a clear and concise manner. His pure passion is to
reach lost people all over the world with the life-changing and life-saving
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
His formal education includes
an undergraduate degree from Stetson University and Master of Divinity and
Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Louisville, Kentucky. His pastoral service includes pastoral positions with
churches in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Georgia. He regularly preaches outside
his home church as he is frequently called to preach revivals, lead pastor
training courses, and minister directly to people all over the world.
From 2000 to 2002, Dr. Merritt
served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is the world's
largest Protestant denomination, and he has appeared on numerous television
programs including Hannity and Colmes, Scarborough Country, and 60 Minutes.
Dr. Merritt has been married
to his wife Teresa for nearly 40 years and have three sons, a daughter-in-law,
and four grandchildren.
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