“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Ester 4:14
Dear Ones:
In the economy of God, there is no mistake, nor is there any error on God’s part. Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus the phrase: “…according as He has chosen us in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world.” (1:3) He went on to write to Timothy, his son in the faith: “…(God) who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE the world began.” (2 Tim 1:9) In both of these passages, we see something of the design and purpose of God which was conceived BEFORE the creation of the world. That design and purpose had to do with Paul, Timothy…and even us.
In the days of Ester, we find Israel still captive to the Persians. In the sovereign purpose of God, Ester is raised by her uncle, and rises to become the queen of Persia. God in His sovereignty accomplished this for a purpose, one that would result in the saving of the entire Jewish people. Ester most certainly did not see fully the hand of God in His dealings with her, but she did come to realize through the words of Mordecai her uncle, that God had not made a mistake. The fact that all that she was, and her specific place in history, was designed by God to accomplish the destruction of those who wanted to eradicate the Jews, and at the same time, to save the Jews by a great and miraculous intervention. Does God deal with us the same way today? Is He still sovereign in His dealings with us, seeking to save the lost by what He accomplishes in our lives?
Again in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we see that he was very clear with regard to HIS calling and purpose. He wrote: “Whereunto (speaking of the Gospel), I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (2 Tim. 1:11) Paul was God’s man for his time, and that, specifically according to his calling. In John’s gospel, Jesus was speaking to His disciples: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (15:16) We see here the sovereign hand of God in the lives of the disciples, with regard to their calling and purpose. Again, how does this apply to us?
Paul, in writing to the believers at Rome, in the context of the salvation of Jews and Greeks (non-Jews) alike, wrote: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (10:13) It is at this point, that we need to ask the question: What is my calling, role, and God’s purpose, for “…such a time as this,” in light of such an invitation to all men to come to Christ, and be saved? Paul goes on to ask several questions, the first of which is: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not heard?” (v.14) Is the Lord not saying through the Apostle that one reason for which many will not call upon the name of the Lord is because they have not heard, and thus, have not believed? He goes on to ask the next question: “And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Ester was born and raised for a specific time and purpose. Are we not so also with regard to making Christ known, according to the gifts that God has given, and the specific role that He has foreordained that we should fulfill? Paul then asks a third question: “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (v.15) The work of reaching the world for Christ is the work of God. It begins in the heart of God, and it is God alone who provides for every resource for its accomplishment.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see Thy sovereign hand in our lives. Fill us with the conviction of our calling, and the grace to believe Thee for its accomplishment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad