What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, June 12, 2017

"For Such A Time As This" - Updated 6-12-17

We studied a little about Queen Esther in our Bible Study this morning, and it reminded me of this post that I wrote last year...and this still speaks to my heart today...perhaps it will yours as well...
Have a blessed day my friends! 


"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom 
for such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14b

Have you ever come to a point in your life where you had to take a stand that might be unpopular, perhaps even dangerous to your own life situation...but yet you knew that to remain silent could be more dangerous or significantly damaging to the lives and/or circumstances of others?  Not a pleasant place to be.

Queen Esther was in such a position...and if she chose not to act it could have meant the death and destruction of the Jewish people during the time of their captivity in the Persian Empire.  However, in order to act on behalf of her people Queen Esther would need to put her own life in grave danger by requesting an audience with the King.  You can read all about this in the Old Testament book of Esther.  Esther was very courageous...and even though it was against the law for her to approach the king, she knew she had to do it.  In chapter 4, verse 16, Esther says, 
"And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"
(click on this video for "Esther's Song" by Ashley and Micha'el BenDavid)

Esther did not perish...and neither did the Jewish people...because God had gone before her and prepared the way.  She was a chosen vessel "for such a time as this."

Perhaps you have had experiences in your life where you had to decide between right and wrong...and take a stand for the sake of "the people"...whether "the people" be your spouse, children, parents, friends...or office staff, employees, your business, place of employment,  church, school, community, neighbors.
Possibly your action meant that you might lose your job, your position in the community, church, friendships...and sadly even family relationships.

But to choose not to take action could mean something much more detrimental to "your people".

I kind of compare it to the slogan, "Friends don't let friends drive drunk"...and so you take the keys away.  You have just a moment to act...and it could change the lives of those around you forever.  When you see someone headed for destruction and you choose to remain silent, refusing to get involved...you tacitly become just as guilty when they careen into the path of another vehicle and hit them head on, possibly killing or seriously injuring innocent bystanders.  You may not be the one that goes to jail for vehicular manslaughter, but you will live for the rest of your life with the guilt of what could have been done "if only I had taken action".

As I stated in the beginning, to take such a course of action may not be widely appreciated by everyone.  However, some may never even know what you did to stem the tide of the impending tsunami, diverting it away from the danger zones. The important thing is to know in your heart when it is the right thing to do...and to act accordingly, leaving the results to God...not seeking any glory for yourself...but giving thanks to the Lord for His guidance and protection for "your people"....

"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?"

"Arise, shine; for your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
and deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
and His glory will be seen upon you."
Isaiah 60:1-2

16 comments:

  1. Yes, there has been times that I've had to decide what is right or wrong in a situation, at times I just step out on faith and trust God that it is right and leave the results to Him...He hasn't let me down!

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    1. And HE will NEVER let you down. When we act in faith, trusting God for the good and His perfect plan, He will not let us down. Sometimes things don't turn out the way we hope they will, but again, that is God's business, not ours. We just have to do what we feel prompted by God to do.

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  2. Pam: There is a good lesson here. I have had to make that decision to become estranged from relatives. It was tough and I found myself praying for that person several time over the years.

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    1. Yes, it is always a difficult decision when we know it may not turn out well for our relationships, etc., but we still have to do what we know God is prompting us to do, for the greater good. All we can do at that point is pray and let God take care of the rest. At least we know we have obeyed what we knew God was leading us to do.

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  3. Thank you shortybear! I pray your day is filled with blessings and joy today.

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  4. Sometimes our road becomes full potholes, we must always decide if we're going to fall in or go around. Walking with the Lord always makes that an easier decision because He always leads us in the way we must go.

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    1. Yes, when we walk with the Lord, and not ahead of the Lord, it is much easier to stay in step with HIS plans and wisdom for our lives. I know I have a tendency to want to run ahead...and God often has to pull me back in line and tell me to "Be still...and Know that I AM God!" Then whatever He leads me to do stays in line with His divine plan. Thank you for your thoughts on this today.

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  5. Pam, thank you for sharing this important word. Some times we do need to take a stand--it's never easy. However, taking those stands saves us from much pain and heartache later. Some times it's a struggle, however, I'm learning that God has me where He does for a reason.

    Like quietspirit, I've had to make a decision to become estranged from one relative (and I'm not at all close with other relatives). Yet, I've learned that I'm happier and healthier with the family I've created with friends.

    Blessings!

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    1. May the Lord continue to give you the courage and strength to stand in His will and plan, even when there may be pressures to do otherwise. He will fill your heart with His song when you are in tune with Him. Thank you for your thoughts on this today. Be blessed my friend.

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  6. Hi Pamela, Beautiful study on Esther. I enjoyed reading your post and your thoughts. Have a blessed Sunday my friend.

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  7. Pam, thank you for the wise lesson in this Bible Study! I will share Esther's Song by Ashley & Micha'el BenDavid with you. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRESsyWlkDY

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    1. Oh Ariella...I just watched that video...and it was so perfect and wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing it. I believe I will go back and include this video in the post above so others may see it as well. Thank you for sending this to me today. So wonderful.

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  8. Isn't it comforting to know that God goes before his own to direct and protect them!
    Have a wonderful day, Pamela.

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  9. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on Esther and how it relates to each of us.
    Thank you my friend.

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  10. Just as Esther was willing to give all for her people, we need to be there with the same faith and conviction as she had. We are all made, at one point or another, for "a time like this."
    Blessings!

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  11. Pam, thank you for sharing this again. Finding the courage to take a stand (or sometimes simply saying "no" to something that really isn't inherently good or bad) can end friendships or change them deeply.

    Thanks for the reminder, that I'm here "for such a time as this".

    Blessings!

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