9/2/2009 6:00:00 PM
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON/For such a time as this
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By REV. DONALD CAVINESS
"Mordecai sent back this reply to Esther: "Don't think for a moment that you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?"" (Esther 4:13-14)
I only have space to remind you of just a few of the details of the wonderful story we find here in this Old Testament book, a story, I suspect, of which you are already somewhat familiar. Esther, a young and beautiful Jewish woman, was chosen by King Xerxes to replace Queen Vashti who had displeased the King. Trouble is brewing in the kingdom as Haman, one of the King's officials, seeks to have all the Jews put to death. Mordecai, Esther's cousin, learns of Haman's intentions and gets word to Esther, urging her to exert influence on the King to have this evil plot derailed. But Esther is afraid. She knows that to try to gain access to the presence of the King without being summoned for was an offense worthy of death. And so, even though the need is great, this young woman hesitates. And Mordecai sends her the message that we read above: "What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" Mordecai's is a strong faith in the Sovereignty of God. He is confident that God will preserve His people, with or without Esther's help. Should she refuse to act, God will raise up another deliverer. But, might it not have been God's plan from the beginning to have the King choose Esther and make her his new Queen for this very purpose - to position her in the precise place, and at the precise moment in history, where (and when) she can make an instrumental difference in the course of human events?
That question forces each of us to look closely at our own lives and at all with which we've been blessed and endowed by the hand of Providence. We take stock of details like: Where we live, When we live, the Advantages we enjoy, our Material Possessions, and Opportunities that are before us. This passage would have us reconsider all of these blessings and ask for what reason God may have chosen to render them to us, here in this place, and at this time?
To observe the beauty of a Summer's sunset; to dip one's hand in a mountain stream and let its refreshing coolness trickle down your throat; to hear the giggle of a grandchild or the softened whisper of a bird on the wing - these are all blessings of exceedingly great value, and which of us, upon encountering a single one, do pause to consider that it might be the last one? the last time? The shadows of the day of opportunity lengthen while the outstretched arm of Omnipotence extends to each of us One Life, One Moment, One Talent, One Set of Skills. What are we to do with it? Esther had one moment, one opportunity to act in a decisive manner, to yield herself to be used of God as an instrument for the rescue of His people. She could have refused. She could have ignored the situation entirely and gone about her normal affairs. Mordecai was right - God would not have been stopped - He would have delivered the Jews by someone else - but Esther would have missed out on a great blessing and quite possibly have suffered great harm.
Let me ask you - how might this day be brimming over with that same opportunity - FOR YOU - in that God, by His Providence, has brought you to this place in your life, at this time, to do what? To say what? To make what sacrifice? - that He, from all eternity past, has planned for, knowing just how He was going to use you and the moment to glorify Himself? Oh how wonderful it would be for us to bid farewell to the closing moments of each passing day with the assurance that we had done our duty, had made the most of each blessing, and had proven ourselves faithful in each trial.
In Exodus 12, you can read of the instructions God gave His people for the observance of the first Passover. It's interesting how they were told to eat the meal fully clothed and ready for a journey. Their sandals were to be on their feet and their walking staff in hand. In other words, they were to eat the meal in faith and full anticipation of God's promised deliverance. Shouldn't it be with that same spirit of watchful alertness, that prompt and sacred readiness, that we come to face each moment of our lives - asking God to open our eyes to the precise way He chooses to use us - there at that precise juncture, as C. S. Lewis writes, where our present existence touches eternity?
I don't know what trial you may be facing today or the challenge with which you wrestle. But before you bow to discouragement, ask yourself: 'As hard as this is, isn't God still in control, and hasn't He sovereignly brought me to this difficulty and it to me? How, then, should I respond? What can I do here and now that I could not have done yesterday and may not be able to do tomorrow - to honor my God and to serve Him?' How has God prepared you for this moment and how might you faithfully serve Him at such a time as this? God bless you all!
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The Rev. Donald Caviness is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He may be reached at athike1@yahoo.com.
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