Dear Ones:
One of the great, and incomprehensible phrases in Scripture is found in Ester 4:14, when Mordecai says to Ester, “…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?” It would seem that God takes His bow, and puts an arrow in place, only to let it go at precisely the right time in history, hitting the precise target of His purpose, the result of which will be the saving of a nation. And it had to do with His sovereignty.
Then comes the story of Joseph. How can we possibly explain how, out of hatred for Joseph, his brothers would sell him into slavery, to be taken to Egypt, and turn out for good? What suffering, loneliness, and consternation he must have known during the next thirteen years, knowing the evident blessing of God, and yet, not understanding His ways and dealings with him when he was put in prison for years. And yet, for all that transpired in his life, he would one day say to his brothers, “…do not be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me hither: for GOD DID SEND ME before you to preserve life.” (Gen. 45:5) In both the life of Ester and Joseph, we find that God’s dealings with them are hidden, and yet, very purposeful. God sovereignly extends His working through time and circumstance to bring about His purpose…most certainly, and always, in the saving of life, either physically or spiritually.
In God’s words to Isaiah concerning Cyrus, he would write: “I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build My city, and he shall let go My captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Is. 45:13) Now, there are two questions that must be answered when we read this passage. First, is our God sufficiently “big” enough to sovereignly work in circumstances and in the recesses of the heart, to bring about His purposes? And secondly, can I trust Him to do so? It is one thing to say, “I believe.” It is quite another to choose to live in light of His working, and this in any and every circumstance.
Jesus said to His disciples, “…I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit…” (Jn. 15:16) There is no doubt that God intervenes and works in our hearts and lives, first of all to bring us to Himself. But that is ONLY the beginning, for with the choosing, there is the “ordaining,” the setting apart for a holy purpose, with all the resources necessary for its attainment.
Paul, in speaking of the church, the body of Christ, writes, “…but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal…the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will…” (1 Cor. 12:7,11) God calls, and equips, for a purpose…FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. We were not born “par hazard,” by chance. God never makes mistakes. And with regard to circumstances, and the times in which we live, “…we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) God’s bow has been drawn, and the arrow well placed.
So that, IF we believe that God is sovereign in His dealings with us, and that Jesus calls us all by our names (individual calling), can we trust Him to bring us SOVEREIGNLY into conformity with His purposes and will, working in us the “willing and the doing of His good pleasure?” (Phil. 2:13)
Dear Father, Thou has made us, and worked in our hearts, “…for such a time as this,” direct our paths, our steps, and lead us in Thy way(s). Grant that ALL Thy purposes for bringing us into the world shall be realized, for Thy glory, and the blessing of others. Amen.
Love, Dad