For Such A Time As This

In a land far away, in a time long ago, the story is told of a beautiful young maiden who was born “for such a time as this.” An orphan, Esther is raised by her cousin Mordecai. Their families were taken captive and settled in a foreign land. And the story begins.

Of all the fair maidens in the land, Esther is chosen to fill the shoes of Queen Vashti who had fallen out of favor with the king. Esther, lovely and pure, takes her role as queen, and begins a calm life in the royal palace.

But as in every good story, there’s a villain. Wicked Haman appears on the scene, a man so consumed with desire for glory and power, he wants revenge on Mordecai who will bow only to the one true God and not to Haman.

When Haman discovers Mordecai is a Jew, Haman’s greed for revenge is so great, he seeks to destroy Mordecai and rid the land of all the Jews. Mordecai, sending a message to Queen Esther, challenges her to go to the king for help. Fearing for her life, since if she approaches the king without him sending for her she may be killed, Mordecai issues his famous statement.

Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:13-14, NKJV

God’s Providential Hand In History Long Ago

History is replete with examples of people God used in a special way for “such a time as this.” He used Esther, a simple Jewish girl, to help keep His people from annihilation. But there are many others whose names we may recognize as people God’s hand was upon.

Consider Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, men who trusted Jehovah and were used by God to build the nation of Israel. And what about John the Baptist and Mary? One the forerunner of the Messiah and the other His mother? How about Peter, Paul, and John, apostles of Jesus who were used to spread the good news of redemption and then leave us with pages of Scripture to give us hope and help us know God?

These are people from long ago. But what about more recent history?

God’s Hand At Work In Recent History

Have you heard of Eliezer Ben Yehuda? I recently read his life story and stood in amazement at God’s work. God gave one man such a passion for bringing the Hebrew language back into common usage that even tuberculosis and the death of his first wife did not deter him.

God said He would bring His people back into the land He promised them, even after they were scattered for millennia. Preparing the way for His people to be a nation again, God gave Ben Yehuda the understanding His people would need a common language. God also gave him the passion to make it happen. For such a time as this?

God proceeded to bring His people back to the land. He even used Harry Truman to openly accept Israel as a new nation, giving validity to the country, a land Jehovah said would re-exist, and it does today. If God has kept that promise, can’t we trust Him with every promise He makes?

These examples don’t mention the many people God used throughout history to protect the innocent, to discover new medicines, to create new countries and settle new lands. Over the span of time, God’s hand has been on many for “such a time as this.” People whom He used to help others and to build His kingdom.

God Creates With Purpose

Scripture makes it clear God, the great Creator, designs people for good works.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10, NKJV.

And we read in Psalm 119 how God formed us, knew us, and planned our days before we were born.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16, CSB

God also told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV).

God designs us with a plan, creates us for His purpose, and appoints us to good works for His glory.

Our Creator Calls Us All

The past is not the only time God planned to have people in place to meet the need of their time. He does it still today. He creates us with a purpose in mind. We’re not some haphazard array of cells slapped together by a machine. We are carefully thought out and loved. Each and every one of us.

It’s not only those with well-known names who have a special place in God’s Hall of Fame. He creates each of us with a desire to know Him and His love for us. And He wants us to love Him and work with Him in the plan He has for us.

There are those who will say God only creates some people for special callings. But the Bible makes it clear our Creator creates with purpose. Some callings may seem more special than others to us, but to God, each vessel He makes is important to Him, created for a reason, and placed in time for His purpose.

When I memorized Scripture in the past, I used the King James Version. Sometimes today other versions help with clarity. But there are still times I love the beauty of the old English as I hear God speak to me. Here are two verses I love to recall often, reminding me my God has called me. He works in me to enable me to do what He has designed me to do. And He is faithful in His love for me and work in me.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Enjoy Being Part Of God’s Plan

You, too, are a part of God’s plan. While the world today seems to be out of control, our Father knew things would be just as they are. And He put us here, now, “for such a time as this.”

God bless you today as you listen to God’s Spirit speak to you. Life is hard for many of us, but He has left us His Spirit and His written word to remind us of His faithfulness. People are hurting and in need of hope. Jesus is the Son of the Living God, the King of kings, and the Prince of Peace. He alone is able to give this world the hope it needs.

Blessings on us all. May we keep our eyes on Jesus, and, one day at a time, run with endurance the race God has set before us. May we trust our Creator Who made us, “for such a time as this.” If we do, He will be faithful to work in and through us for our joy and to His glory.

(Scripture: KJV unless otherwise noted; Photo: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, Tucker, Georgia, 2023.)