The Lord uses Godly people in our lives to be a catalyst for courage in uncertain times. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, was a catalyst for Esther to be courageous and to risk her life for the sake of the Israelites.
Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “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?”
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” Esther 4:10-16
The Israelites were faced with an edict that was supposed to annihilate the entire nation under the Persian Empire. Esther was the favored queen, but she knew that it would be a risk to her life if she approached the king without his invitation.
Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, was a strong man of faith who had raised Esther through her childhood. He desired the best for Esther, but he understood that it was time for Esther to take a risk and handle the situation courageously. Mordecai stated three important facts that Esther had to consider:
- Esther and her entire household were in danger. Although she was favored, she would not be able to escape this edict.
- God will find someone to deliver the Israelites, and He would not allow them to go into extinction.
- Esther’s position could be God’s purpose to use her as an instrument of deliverance.
Mordecai’s statements sobered up Esther. He was instrumental in giving her a holy push into God’s purpose! Esther became courageous, and she was willing to risk her life and go before the king. She saw the threat, but she perceived the deliverance!
We may never be faced with the kind of threat Esther was faced with, but we will all be faced with situations that will challenge our positions, relationships, and reputation. However, are we willing to risk those things if the Lord leads us!? There are all kinds of threats around us such as the breakdown of marriages, carnality in the church, corruption in the workplace, and unrighteous laws in our government.
We cannot live life on cruise control or assume that God has placed us in a particular sphere just for our benefit. When we have an opportunity to speak up or act, we need to be courageous and do what God is asking us. There will always be a fear element when we want to be courageous. However, once we understand it is the Lord leading us in that direction, we must step out, take the risk, and trust the Lord!
Esther had her people pray and fast. We may also, depending on the severity of the situation, need to do the same. We also need people like Mordecai who love us but love God more to help us see the situation.
Are you available to be God’s instrument of deliverance in your sphere of influence? Do you have a Mordecai in your life? Are you a Mordecai to someone else?