Purim: Remembering Esther
By Lonnie C. Crowe
Like Esther, we have been called for such a time as this. Esther, a Jewish woman named Hadassah, divinely became the wife of the King of Persia, the most powerful man of his time. His deceitful henchman, Haman, plotted to annihilate all the Jews living in Persia.
Mordechai, Esther’s relative and guardian, reminded her that with privilege comes responsibility.
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?”
Women in the Old Testament are most often pictures of the Church, the Bride of Christ. Through the story of Esther, God is saying to the Church, “if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your generation will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?”
What did Esther do at that decisive moment? Though she was queen and held a privileged position, she also knew she risked her life in approaching her husband on behalf of her peoples She was willing to take that risk. She knew both her privileged position and her responsibility to her people.
In preparation, she called the people to fast—in other words, she turned to God for wisdom and protection.
As we prepare for our Purim we must identify our privileges:
• We have the privilege of knowing God personally.
• We have the privilege of living in a country that still has the greatest wealth and the greatest freedom in the world.
We must also understand our circumstances.
• We are not safe just because we are Christians.
• If my nation suffers, I suffer.
• Being Christian doesn't mean we are safe from external factors.
Then let us intercede and ask the Lord to touch our nation and our world.
• God has called the Church for such a time as this.
• God knows what Satan is planning for each country and nation of the world. He appointed each of us to intercede for our nation. He wants us to change the destiny of this world and make history.
• God is faithful to those who are sincere. Our hope is in the Lord not in earthly governments.
• We are, like all generations, a generation that God has called into destiny. Esther changed the history of the Jews through courage and sacrifice and the grace of God. We can do the same thing if we obey the calling.
In intercession, we must follow the admonitions of our Lord to His people.
•2 Chronicles 7:14—“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God has called His people, believers, to turn from our wicked ways and pray.
•1 Timothy 2:1-2—“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
1. Pray that leaders, if they are not already believers, will become believers.
2. Pray that the leaders will come to a knowledge of the Truth.
3. Pray that they will acknowledge, honor, and praise God who is the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth.
With great privilege comes great responsibility. With great responsibility comes great opportunity. We have a divine opportunity to be God’s instruments in leading our nation into God’s destiny for us.
