When we read chapter two of the Book of Esther we see
another role player that the Lord had put into position to accomplish His
purposes - Mordecai. He was obviously sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance
and when he saw the opportunity he acted on it. I guess one can see it from two
perspectives. Either he approached it from a carnal and self-centred angle in
that he did what he did in a crafty way to get Esther on the throne and him in
a favourable position so they could both be looked after, or he realised the
LORD’s hand in this because he was a godly man and followed the Holy Spirit’s
guidance.
Either way the LORD was in control. Whether we
acknowledge the Lord’s hand in what is happening in our lives or not, He is
still going to be faithful and accomplish what He wanted to. It may just take
longer and be harder on us, but “he who began a good work in
you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” (Philippians
1:4-6). If Mordecai had carnal ideas of elevating himself and Esther, the
Lord used it to accomplish the purpose of preparing the way for saving His
people.
The Bible doesn’t tell us that
Mordecai was a godly man, but it was most probable because the Lord usually use
godly people. Mordecai showed character and loyalty when he reported the plot
to assassinate king Xerxes to the king. There was a danger that the soldiers or
their colleagues could have killed Mordecai for telling on them. How loyal are
we to the LORD and His purposes? Can we look back and be glad that we have
heard the Lord’s guidance and were obedient when He relied on us.
The LORD first had to build credibility
for both Mordecai and Esther, which is why He arranged the year in which Esther
could have gained favour with king Xerxes and everybody she had met, and why He
arranged for the alert Mordecai to observe the plot, so Mordecai could obtain
favour with the king. As with Joseph and Daniel the LORD first needed the king
to trust Mordecai and Esther. Esther revealed a humbleness and dependence on
Mordecai’s guidance, which would have reflected in every area of her life and would
have made her appealing to those who considered her as queen, inclusive of king
Xerxes.
What do we learn from this? Nobody exists
without a purpose set by the LORD. He has His plan and we all fit into that
plan in one way or another. Satan’s strategy is to divert us from that purpose
by distracting us with many worldly things that appeal to our flesh. Had
Mordecai not stayed alert but got distracted by the high position he ended up
in the later chapters of the book, and had Esther not stayed devoted to her
higher calling, but enjoyed the indulgencies of palace life, the purpose of the
LORD to save His people would have suffered.
How many plans of the LORD suffer
because we indulge in things that are not part of His plan for our lives? How
alert are we to do what the LORD expects of us? Are we doing what comes natural
within our gifting or do we try to follow other people’s ideas? If for example you
are gifted to serve, why do you want to teach, or why do you feel guilty when
you are not able to give as much as those who are gifted for giving?
Mordecai and Esther, as Joseph and
Daniel, were in the right place at the right time. If we walk in the Holy
Spirit we are in the right place at the right time, even though it may not
always feel like that as Joseph would have testified. Can you say you were born for a time such as
this? Do you live as if born for your purpose?
Lord, help me to be available for
whatever you need me to do.
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Thank you Lord that your Word went
out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you
empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which
you sent it.
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benefit by it.
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