Esther; For Such A Time As This Chap 4

Esther; For Such A Time As This - Chap 4
Carri Lynne Pratt

 "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom 

for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

What is God leading you to do? Does it scare you to think about it?

Our reading this week is Esther Chapter 4.

                   Read Here          Listen Here

While you read this chapter consider the following:

1)  Call on God First in Your Time of Need

Every Jewish person who heard about the edict immediately went into mourning. They wore sackcloth to show their grief and distress.  Sackcloth was also worn in the Old Testament to show repentance. (GotQuestions.com) Although not stated, this was their way of calling on God in their time of need.

2) Be Strong and Courageous! If God calls you to it, He will see you through it

Esther's first reaction, when she heard the news, was for her own safety. She was worried that the king would not hold out his scepter to her, thus granting her an audience rather than being killed. 

3) Decide to be used by God for His good purpose, Say Yes God!

Mordecai boldly tells Esther that if she chooses not to do what God is leading her to, God will find someone else or some other way to accomplish His will. 

God is always in control.

Spiritual Discipline: Fasting

Esther asked for all of the Jews, as well as she and her young women, to fast for three days. She specified no food and no water.  She wanted everyone focused on praying to God for deliverance and safety.  In my experience, nothing gives me greater focus than praying every time I experience a hunger pain during a fast. It is also important to know why you are fasting so that when those hunger pains remind you to pray, you will know what to pray for. (I have never fasted from water before however, only food or even certain items like sweets or soda)

When should we fast?  According to Donald S. Whitney of Lifeway...

"When should you fast? Times of special need, guidance for an important decision, or especially intense spiritual longings may prompt you to enter into a fast. But Christians are free to experience the blessings of fasting as often as they desire."  Read his article, The Gospel and the Discpline of Fasting @ Lifeway.com