Do you ever feel as if you cannot? Do you ever think that God would not use you like He uses someone else? You know He shows no partiality…plays no favorites, but inside you doubt His providence. Your circumstances may be difficult, and based on sight, your faith weakens. You cling to the Lord and petition Him. You do not understand His ways. You desire to know Him more and deeply long to obey, but a struggle occurs. You may even know you face satanic threats. Recently, I walked this path. This time, my journey on this detour was short. What did I learn in a new way while wrestling before God with hardships, trials, sufferings?
Perfectly written to show the protection and preservation of the Jewish people by the gracious hand of God from the threat of annihilation, the Book of Esther portrays Christ’s work as Advocate on our behalf. Esther represents a type of Christ as she completely surrenders her life before God, willing to die for her people, but instead gaining favor of the king. Satan threatens again to destroy the Jewish people, thereby ending the messianic line. If you are familiar with the book, you may be encouraged by the key verse in Esther 4:14…
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
What is so encouraging about this amazing story of God’s deliverance is that His providential care can be seen throughout the book. God raises a Jewish girl out of obscurity to become queen. He blesses and multiples the faith of her uncle, Mordecai, and just before the enemy prevails and causes the demise of Mordecai, God grants him honor. The “bad guy,” Haman, chooses not to repent, and therefore hangs on the gallows and his evil deeds are abolished. Finally, God brings salvation and victory to the Jews by causing the king to give a new decree, allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.
Wonderful! God proves that in spite of danger and opposition, the Messiah will come and nothing can stop Him. And, wow!!! God uses Esther in a miraculous way. Salvation did not depend on Esther, but on God. Mordecai did not put his faith in Esther, but in God. Esther did not put her faith in her husband, the king, but rather she placed her faith in God.
But what about my struggle? What about your struggle? What shall we learn? God uses very ordinary men and women to overcome impossible circumstances and to accomplish His plans. His providence is perfect. Does that mean, “Me, God?” Does that mean YOU? Yes!
What is that thing that appears so impossible right now? The salvation of a loved one. Your marriage. Maybe it is like my area of weak faith. Will God really use little me to gather in the harvest? He says the “fields are white” and “the laborers are few.” You and I better get busy. Remain about the Father’s business. Let it flow from His abundance and His presence only. Have faith in Jesus.
Hello! I'm Brooke.
