For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬)

I have heard this phrase over and over, “for such a time as this.” As anything in life and leadership “times” are generally a mixed bag of good and bad. As the Bible says, the wheat and the tares grow together. Here are my observations of the “times” that are taking place in the story of Esther and are also very prominent in many leadership settings:

1) DISOBEDIENCE 

The entire narrative of the book of Esther is made possible due to Queen Vashti’s refusal to fulfill her role as queen (Esther 1:10-20). As frustrating as it may be, when others on our team or in our lives do not follow the leading of God’s plan, it does not stop HIS plan. It only opens the way for God to use others to fulfill his purpose.

2) DECEPTION

Haman is deceiving his leader, the king, to advance his own place in the kingdom. Scripture reads, “Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai (Esther 3:6).” Times of deception are some of the hardest time to trust those close to you and even hard to trust God. It is easy to “keep score” of the deception so that you can some how right the wrong at a later time. It is during these times that our dependance on God is most important.

3) DEPENDENCE

In the time of disobedience and deception, I have found that God always sends someone to our aid. In this case God sent Mordecai. While they were searching for a Queen, Mordecai presented his cousin Esther. He then attended the king’s gate daily to inquire on Esther. Once Hamaan’s deception came to a boiling point, Mordecai then challenged Esther to take action. Mordecai depended on his family. He had faith in his cousin that she could change the course of history.

4) DISCIPLINE

Once it was determined that she would go before the King, Esther and her maidens fasted for three days. She was dependent upon God for his answer. Some things only come by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). It you are facing extinction in your personal, spiritual or career life, NOW is the time to exercise spiritual discipline and pray and fast your way to a miracle.

5) DELIVERANCE

Although there was a conspiracy within the kingdom, Mordecai and Esther stayed true to who they were and followed God, and God delivered them and all of the Jewish people. In the end, God truly kept score and allowed Haaman to hang on his own gallows (Esther 7:10), allowed Esther to keep her rightful place and promoted Mordecai next unto king Ahasuerus (Esther 10.3). If you will stay where God has placed you and be faithful to HIS plan, He will see you through and give you the ultimate deliverance.

CONCLUSION

I know it doesn’t make much sense. I realize that right now does not seem like the right “timing” for a miracle in your life. However, in the midst of disobedience and deception, God loves to bring dependance and deliverance. So, regardless of what is happening in your life right now just know that you truly have come to the kingdom for such a time as this!