“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: ‘Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT)

 

The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail.

There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn’t know about Queen Esther’s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom.

Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman’s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman’s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk.

So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT).

His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman’s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason.

Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It’s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn’t change the fact that we all play key roles in God’s plan—even if we may not fully understand what those roles are.

Who’s to say God hasn’t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That’s what Esther boldly did.

God says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NLT). If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you.

 

Reflection question: Why might God have placed you in your present circumstances? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t think for a moment that because you&rsquo;re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.&nbsp;If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?&rsquo;&rdquo; (Esther 4:13&ndash;14 NLT)
&nbsp;
The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail.
There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn&rsquo;t know about Queen Esther&rsquo;s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom.
Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman&rsquo;s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman&rsquo;s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk.
So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t think for a moment that because you&rsquo;re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed.&nbsp;If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?&rdquo; (Esther 4:13&ndash;14 NLT).
His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman&rsquo;s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason.
Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It&rsquo;s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn&rsquo;t change the fact that we all play key roles in God&rsquo;s plan&mdash;even if we may not fully understand what those roles are.
Who&rsquo;s to say God hasn&rsquo;t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That&rsquo;s what Esther boldly did.
God says in Joshua 1:9, &ldquo;This is my command&mdash;be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go&rdquo; (NLT). If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: Why might God have placed you in your present circumstances?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

God placed you where you are for a reason.