Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. I'm Darrell Bailey, thank you for tuning in as we continue on in the book of Esther, Esther chapter four, Esther chapter four. Now, as we look at Esther chapter four, we're reminded that there's 10 chapters in the 17th book of Esther. Here in Esther chapter four, There are 17 verses. Out of those, it deals with the mourning among the Jews and how that in this fourth chapter, I'm gonna read the number one verse of Mordecai's charge to Esther. And I'm gonna be talking about my topic for such a time as this, because in Esther chapter four, it's about recognizing and fulfilling God's purpose in the pivotal moments of our lives. And Esther chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 are the highlights of Esther chapter 4. In verse 13, then Mordecai commanded to Esther, Esther, think not with yourself that you shall escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. Other words, he was saying, you're Jewish. And so, you're gonna die as well. You may think, Mordecai's telling Esther, you may be in the harem, you may be in the palace, but just because you're a Jew, you're gonna die as well. But in verse 14, for if you altogether hold your peace at this time, then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place. Mordecai, in other words, was speaking to Esther and saying that he's confident that God will not allow the destruction of his people. But I continue reading in verse 14, but you and your father's house shall be destroyed. Even though the Lord will spare the nation some way, still, many Jews will die and you and I will definitely be among them. But he goes on and he says, and who knows whether you'll come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Other words, to be sure, this is exactly why the Lord had raised up Esther at this particular position. The Lord knows all things. He knows our past, he knows our present, and he knows our future, and therefore, He functions according as he is also almighty. And he can basically do whatever he likes without violating the free moral agency of anyone. And so, here in Esther chapter four, I'm gonna be talking about for such a time as this, looking to the verses 13 and 14, of Esther chapter four. Father, we come humbly before you asking for your forgiveness. Your word says if we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Cleanse us, Lord, and renew a right spirit within us. Teach us to put on the whole armor of God daily. And Lord, as Paul reminds us to put on the whole armor of God, that we might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, protect our minds with a helmet of salvation, guard our hearts with the breastplate of righteousness. and empower us with the sword of the spirit and let this word inspire us to rise to the calling that you have placed on our lives. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name, amen. Years ago, a woman who accidentally drove her car into a lake because her GPS told her to turn right. But instead of pausing to think, she followed directions blindly and she ended up very wet. Well, how often do we blindly follow the wrong directions in our lives, ignoring God's purpose for us? And so, the story of Esther reminds us that God has a specific role for each of us. And when we seek him, his divine purpose will guide us even when the path doesn't make sense. And like Esther, we may find ourselves in situations that seem overwhelming, but God has placed us for such a time as this. And I'm glad that when we look that the Jews were in very, very desperate times because of the evil plan of Prime Minister Haman to exterminate them. Haman hated Mordecai the Jew. He hated him so much that he obtained permission from King Hasseras to wipe out all the Jews. And once permission from King Hasseras to wipe out all the Jews was made, Esther, Mordecai reported Haman's evil plot to Queen Esther, and a decision had to be made. Esther could take safe harbor in the palace as the queen and try to keep her Jewish heritage a secret, or she could risk her life by approaching the king about this situation. Mordecai urged Esther to do what she could to save the Jews from destruction. And after much prayer, Esther made the courageous decision to approach the king. Much was at stake. If she did not find favor as she approached, she would be executed immediately, and the hope of intercession for the Jews would be gone. The situation could have been even more serious, because at this point, the account of Esther takes several dramatic turns. Esther and informed the king that she had a request to ask of him. But she first wanted him and the prime minister to come to a banquet. Earlier, the king had approved Haman's request to eliminate the Jewish race, but she still had no idea, basically though, the king had no idea that Esther was Jewish. And so at the banquet, Instead of presenting her request to the king, Esther surprisingly asked the king and Haman to come to another banquet on the following night. Why did she delay her request to save her people? Perhaps she was studying Haman and the situation a little bit further, or perhaps she was looking for the right moment, trying to gather her courage, and all that is known is that somehow God caused her to delay her request. The next day, Mordecai the Jew, who was bitterly hated by Haman, was suddenly honored by the king. It had been discovered that Mordecai had saved the king's life from an assassination plot years earlier. And this, of course, changed the situation dramatically. And what happened next reaches the pinnacle of suspense and drama because at the second banquet, Esther informed the king that Haman wanted to exterminate her people, which meant that she also would be killed. The king exploded in wrath. and Haman and his 10 sons were immediately executed by law, and the decree of extermination the decree of extermination could not be changed. But another decree was issued by the king. This second decree gave the Jews the right to defend themselves against their attackers. And so the day of the battle, the Jews won an overwhelming victory and they were granted another day of battle in order to completely defeat their enemies. The Feast of Perium was established to celebrate the great deliverance of the Jews, and Esther was greatly esteemed. Mordecai was elevated by King Ahasuerus to replace Haman as prime minister of Persia. And so, when we look at this, can you imagine what was happening? Because there were 15 million Jews scattered throughout the Persian Empire. And because of Haman's enmity, the king's stupidity, and all of them were now appointed to die unless they pulled up stakes and left the kingdom. But if they did that, where would they go? Even their own land of Israel wasn't safe because it was under the rule of Ahasuerus. And since the Persians ruled from India all the way to Ethiopia, there was very few accessible places to which the Jews might flee. In the empire, the responses of the decree that varied, Haman and the king completely ignored the plight of the Jews. They sat down to a royal feast, and meanwhile, the people of the capital city were perplexed and didn't know what to do. And so Esther was secluded in the royal harem, knew nothing about the danger that she and her people had faced. All of this came about. Well, here in chapter four of Esther, throughout life, we all face crisis from time to time, but sometimes the crisis are so severe, so threatening the stability and the security of our lives. Other times, the situations are less critical. But whether the crisis is financial difficulty or bankruptcy, marital problems or divorce, disobedient or rebellious children, failing grades or unemployment, assault or rape, severe disease or accident, terminal illness or death, in such times, we all stand in desperate needs of help. And in this present scripture, Mordecai and the Jews were facing the crisis of their lives. Of the decree of extermination that had been issued by the Persian Empire, a whole race of people had been decreed by law to be slaughtered. Millions of Jews, every man, woman, child, and even babies were to be killed. The Jews stood in a desperate need of help, and only two people could help them, Mordecai and his daughter Esther. And for this very purpose, Esther had been raised up by God to sit on the throne as queen to king And so we look and we begin to realize that out of all of this, for such a time as this, we see God's call in the crisis. First of all, the challenge of the moment, because in verse 14 again, for if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall thou enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed. Esther faced a moment of decision. And if she stayed silent and safe, or should she risk everything for God's purpose? You know, the crisis is bigger than we think sometimes. Haman's plot to destroy the Jews mirrored the overwhelming challenges that we all face in life today. But God is sovereign even in the darkest moments. And so in verses one through nine, Mordecai's heartbroken plea in response to the decree of destruction and his petition to Esther is a reflection of humanity's urgent need for an advocate today who can stand in the gap and seek compassion. I'm glad that now we'll have hopefully a president that will stand in the gap, that will seek that that we need. And so when we hear the news, how that verses one and two that Mordecai is grieved and begins to mourn. And he mourns by doing several things. He tears his clothes. He puts on sackcloth, a very coarse black material which caused chaffing when worn next to the skin. Ashes were poured upon his head, a symbol of humility and acknowledgment that would come from the dust of the earth, weeping and loud wailing. You see, Persians mourned this way in Hacerus' reign when the defeat at the Salamis was revealed to the people. The King's Gate was the place of commerce and judgment, and it was a very important place in the city. Anyone wearing sackcloth was not allowed through the King's Gate. Sackcloth was regarded as an unclean since it was used in the mourning of the dead. and the palace was a clean place. None could approach the king in mourning dress. All must be happy before the king. The king was not to be vexed with complaints and stressful problems. Remember this when Esther sees the king later. And if the king encountered Mordecai while he mourned at the gate, he could have been in big trouble. The risk was great for sure. Mordecai may have wanted to voice his opposition to the death law. He may have wanted to get Esther's attention somehow. And so there was an estimated of 15 million Jews in the empire, including the land of Israel from, as I said, all the way from India to Ethiopia, the mourning, the fasting, the weeping, and the waiting. and the servants of Esther inform her that Mordecai is mourning at the king's gate. Esther's grieved and concerned about her cousin, and yet she's a prisoner of the harem and can't see him. What did Esther do about the mourning of Mordecai? She sends him clothes to replace the sackcloth. Why would she do this? There were several reasons for this action. He could enter the king's gate if his sackcloth was removed. The custom of the Persians was to send new garments to near relatives who were mourning over the death of loved ones, and Esther may have assumed someone must have died, and Mordecai, however, refuses because he's not mourning for the dead. There's some great practical applications because we find the Jews were under the sentence of death. It was the law. Today, men without Jesus Christ are also under the sentence of death. God's law demands that death is the price for sin. The law was written in black and white. God's word is written in black and white too. And the punishment of death for sin is very clear in Romans 6.23. We are condemned without Christ because the way Esther attempts to confront Mordecai is the same method people try to comfort themselves today. Clothing is offered, which is an outward change. But you know what? Until you take care of that inward sin, in the pulpits today. We got people that get up and all of a sudden they urge people with mild mannered ways. But the answer to the sin problem is the Lord Jesus Christ. Any other way of salvation is weak. It is not going to get the job done. And so, I'm telling you, Esther is puzzled. Why is Mordecai mourning? We enter a new player. And so through that entrance of that new player that we look and we realize that Esther's got to do something. She's got to reach out to somebody. She's got to be able to get through to Mordecai and to be able to talk to him. And so Hathak was that new person. He's Esther's trusted servant, and she sends him to Mordecai to find out what's going on. And so, through Hathak. a communication is established. He seems to be a good man. Haythak is a Persian word that's called haytaka, which means good. Mordecai speaks with him and informs him of Haman's plot and promise of money to destroy the Jews, and he gives Haythak the copy of the decree for Esther to read. He gives directions for East Esther to appeal to the king and spare her people. Something has changed because We notice in the words of verse 8 that it talks about two words, her people. Why is this so significant? Because Hataka doesn't know the queen is a Jew. He knows now, but Mordecai has now exposed Esther to danger, linking her with the Jews, and her secret is out now, if it wasn't before. Some have wondered if when we look and realize that the servant Haytack that plays a very, very, very important part as he relays this message in the entire story. He is a good messenger and he's a picture of a Christian's responsibility today because we are to be good messengers and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. God uses every one of us out of the blue to accomplish the work of the Lord. The Lord uses the unknown and the obscure repeatedly. 5,000 men plus women and children needed a meal, and the Lord uses a willy little boy with bread and fish to bring glory to God. Unknown men lift Paul over the Damascus wall in Abascus. Who were these men? We don't know, but God does. It was a little girl who told General Naaman to go see a prophet of God in order to be healed and dip himself in the Jordan. Someone said great doors swing on small hinges. Are you little enough to be used of God? See every one of us when we look. we realize that there is someone that needs to be saved and rescued today. And so, God's call in the crisis is the challenge of the moment. And that is, the crisis is bigger than we think. And the courage that's required. Esther had to choose between comfort and courage. As Corrie Ten Boom said, never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. And so, the challenge of the moment, is not only the crisis is bigger than we think, the courage that's required, but also the cost of silence. Failing to act for God often comes with a high price. As one preacher humorously put it, if you think stepping out for God is scary, wait until you see what stepping away costs, unquote. And so we see that for such a time as this, God's call in the crisis is the challenge of the moment, but secondly, the call for action. Because in verse 16, the Bible says, go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me. Esther didn't just act on impulse. She sought God's guidance and mobilized others to join her. And so we've got to seek God in prayer. Esther's first step was spiritual, fasting in prayer and inviting God's power into our plans. As Andrew Murray wrote, prayer is not monologue. but dialogue. God's voice in response to mine is its most essential part." And so we see the call to action, seeking God in prayer. Secondly, standing together in faith. The strength of the Jews' collective prayer reminds us of Matthew chapter 18 verse 20, for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And so we see the call to action, seeking God in prayer, standing together in faith, a man. And then thirdly, we see sacrificing for the greater good. Esther's words were, if I perish, I perish in verse 16. And so every one of us we see her willingness to lay everything on the line for God's plan. And I'm glad that all of us, as we go through life, only Queen Esther stood in the gap between the king and the extermination of the Jews. She alone could meditate in their behalf. She alone could approach the king and cry out for mercy in behalf of her people. This is the very clear picture of our desperate need for an intercessor today. for a person who can stand before God and plead for mercy in our behalf. There's an enormous gap between God and us, an impassable gulf that separates God from man. This gap or gulf exists between God's perfection and our imperfection. Only perfection is acceptable to God. Only a perfect person can approach God, and we are anything but perfect. We're sinful because we've committed wickedness and evil both in thought and in behavior. Our only hope is for a mediator, a perfect person, to stand between God and us and to plead for mercy in our behalf. And the wonderful news is this, listen, There is such a person, a perfect person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our intercessor, the perfect savior, the deliverer who is accepted by God the Father. Standing before the Father, Jesus Christ pleads for God to have mercy when we trust and call out to him. And when we call in the name of Christ, God hears. He hears because Jesus Christ is the perfect intercessor, the perfect mediator who brings us to God. And so, God's call in the crisis is the challenge of the moment. The crisis is bigger than we think. The courage that's required, the cost of silence. Secondly, the call to action, seeking God in prayer, standing together in faith and sacrificing for the greater good. But the third thing of God's call in the crisis is the confidence in God's plan. Amen? Because I'm glad that in verse 14, as we talk about for such a time as this, Verse 14 says, who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. God's timing is always perfect and he places us exactly where we need to be. And so I'm glad that out of all the things The throne room of the king was 193 feet square, which would make it 37,000 square feet. The roof was supported by six rows of six columns where the king was located. It was beautiful. but access to the throne was limited. And as Christians, we can come boldly under heaven's throne of grace. According to the writer of Hebrews, we have access to the king of all kings and the Lord of all lords any day, whenever we want to. But may we not neglect this privilege. because it was a picture of Christ. Deliverance from death was in the scepter of the king. Salvation was in that scepter. And without the king extending the scepter to an intruder, the consequences would be death. And the Hebrew word for scepter is shebit. Here in the book of Esther, the Arabic form of Shabbat is used, and it's in the masculine gender, and the word Shabbat was used to refer to the Messiah, the Savior, according to reference of Numbers chapter 24, verse 17. And the scepter was a symbol of rulership and authority. And when Christ returns, he will establish his kingdom, his rule, his authority over the earth for a thousand years. And so, Mordecai assures Esther that she will die even though that she's in the king's house. It was the law. She was worried about the danger of the throne room. Mordecai reminds her that she's already in danger. Mordecai assures her that deliverance is certain whether she gets involved or not. However, her fear would result in the destruction of her family and life if she doesn't act upon it. Mordecai reminds Esther that this may be the reason She won the beauty contest. She became the queen for this particular moment in history. This may be the explanation of her exaltation that I'm glad that Joseph saw God's hand in his life when he was exalted too in Genesis chapter 50. Mordecai is certain and confident of the deliverance by the Lord. Where else would deliverance come but from the Lord? Mordecai is very aware of God's covenant with Abraham. And so, Many of us today will lose opportunities. rewards, blessings, and joy. John Mark left the mission field and God raised up Timothy for the task. The Lord can also discipline us until we surrender to his will. And a classic example is Jonah when he ran from God and the Lord kept after him till he obeyed him. When God isn't permitted to rule our life, he overrules. He will accomplish his purpose one way or the other with one individual or another. And so Esther's instructions were to fast for three days in verses 15 and 16, and then she would go to the king. The normal time for fasting was one day, but notice there's no mention of prayer in this entire chapter. Prayer almost always accompanies fasting. So when you read and when you heard about fasting, prayer was already included, even though that it didn't say it. And I'm glad that when Jonah was out of God's will, we do not find him praying on the boat. But I'm telling you, Esther had an attitude of submission to a mission. She said, if I perish, I perish. And I'm glad this is the same attitude that was found among the lepers in 2 Kings 7, verse 4, and Paul Acts 20, verse 24. The three Hebrews had the same attitude when they told Nebuchadnezzar they would not bow to the image no matter what he would do to them. And in Daniel chapter 3, Esther did not have the watch out for number uno attitude or the sebon skin syndrome. The character of Esther was revealed by her affliction. She was committed to the task no matter what happened. It revealed what this lady was really made of. We are to be like Esther and pray as if all depended on God and act as if all depended upon us. I'm glad. Edmund Burke said one time, all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing, unquote. Thank God Esther did do something. And because she did act of courage has It saved the entire nation of Israel. And it is still spoken of today, thousands of years later. Esther was faced with a decision of her life, with one of the most difficult decisions ever faced by a man or woman. She alone could step forth to save the Jewish people from extermination, but she needed a deep-seated courage. And I'm glad Esther's courage was dormant. It needed to be stirred by Mordecai and through Hathak, the queen's trusted aide. Mordecai and Esther exchanged message after message until the courage was aroused within her to risk her life to save the Jewish people from annihilation. And so I'm glad that when we look, we realize that what was happening. And so we've got to trust God's timing. Amen. but also not only the confidence in God's plan of trusting God's timing, but secondly, believing in God's sovereignty. No matter how chaotic life seems, God is in control. As Charles Spurgeon said, when you cannot trace his hand, you can trust his heart, unquote. And so we trust in God's timing. We believe in God's sovereignty and we act on God's purpose. Esther's obedience not only saved a nation, but it glorified God. And when we obey, even in small ways, God can use us for great things. And so I'm glad each and every one of us, as we go forward, that I'm glad that for such a time as this, God's got people where they need to be. In facing any desperate situation, there is a need for courage and prayer and fasting. And when we face the crisis of life, we must be courageous. But we must also seek the face of God, for only God can give us permanent health. Only God can place permanent peace within our hearts, a peace that will never leave us as long as we are trusting Him. Only God can give us permanent power, the power that can triumph over all trials and temptations of life. Only God can give us continued victory over the terrifying crisis that may confront us, crisis that can leave us frightened and confused, wondering what we can do to overcome the problem, the difficulty, the bankruptcy, or even the terrifying prospect of death, hell, and eternal separation from God. No matter what the crisis in life is, there is hope in God. And if we turn to the Lord in prayer and fast, seeking His face for help, He will help us, and I'm glad that when we face the crisis of life, we must be courageous. When we face the crisis of life, we must fast and seek the face of the Lord. And so, like Esther, You have been placed where you are for a divine purpose. And the challenges you face, the risks that you must take, and the sacrifices you make are all part of God's greater plan. Don't miss the opportunity to fulfill your calling. God is not looking for perfect people. He's looking for willing ones. And so, such a time as this moment, is something that you might be facing today. You need to identify the unique opportunity in your life to serve and to speak for God. You know what? Are you seeking God's guidance before acting? Spend time in prayer, fast, ask God for wisdom and clarity. And you know what? I wonder, do you have a step of faith that you can take that will fulfill God's purpose today in your life? Be courageous. Trust God to handle the outcome when you act in obedience. Because remember, every one of us, for such a time as this, God's call is in the crisis, the challenge of the moment, the call to action, and the confidence in God's plan. Amen. And so, I hope and pray that you Set that example to be courageous and trust God to handle the outcome when you act in obedience. Lord, we thank you for the example of Esther, who trusted you even when it meant risking everything. Forgive us for the times that we shrink back in fear or fail to act on your purpose. Give us the courage to stand boldly, to trust fully, and to act faithfully for your glory. Save those who do not know you. and draw your children closer to repentance and renewal. And may we, like Esther, embrace the moments you prepared for us. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. you