Esther 4-5: For Such A Time As This

Did you know that God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther?

Not only is it never mentioned, the hand of God is never explicitly pointed out. We can see God moving through His people in the book of Esther, but there are no words from prophets, no Jewish leaders receiving instruction. Nothing.

Imagine being Esther during this time: her people had been sentenced to death-- she had been sentenced to death! And now Mordecai had asked her to go unsummoned before the king to plead for their lives. To go before the king without him requesting you meant death as well. She was almost assuredly dead if she did, and dead if she didn't.

She asks her people to fast and pray for her for three days. For three days they pray with Esther-- that she would soften the kings heart toward the Jews. For three days she prays, is hungry from fasting, scared of dying.

And, as in the entire book, God is silent.

There is no defining moment. There is no word from God saying: ESTHER, DO THIS! There is no guarantee it will work or a message saying her life will be spared.

What do we do when we pray and God is silent?

We see the bravery in Esther's actions. On the third day, she goes before the king to plead for the lives of her people. Though she never received a word from the Lord. She knew God's heart was for His people. She knew that she was placed in a position to possibly have the king's ear. So though, for all she knew, God may not have been with her, she fought for her people the only way she knew how.

And God was with her. He protected her life and gave her the chance to speak on behalf of her people.

Sometimes I drag my feet in doing the work of the Lord because I tell myself I haven't "heard" from Him yet. But I think sometimes God just wants us to own it-- to say, I know God's heart is for His people, and this is a good work-- and do it. To stand up, be brave, and walk into hardship knowing He may allow you to fall.