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       It is interesting how many words, phrases, and names from the Bible have become and remain part of our everyday English language. Some examples would be: “the handwriting on the wall” or “a good Samaritan” or “robbing Peter to pay Paul”. Or those trying to describe an unfair contest referring to it as a ‘David and Goliath’ situation.

     In the book of Esther, in chapter four verses thirteen and fourteen, we find another phrase that has been used quite frequently to describe the role of someone who appears to have arisen to a challenge at just the right time. Esther’s uncle Mordecai in realizing the seriousness of the decree calling for the death of all the Jews in the Kingdom sends these words to Queen Esther.

    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?

    The phrase “for such a time as this” has been used frequently in our time even by politicians trying to convince their voters that they are the right person and presumably the only right person for the job given the challenges of the times. But I find it interesting that Mordecai was not convinced that Esther was the answer as evidenced by the phrase “who knows”. Obviously, he was not sure whether Esther would be the one to successfully intercede with the King and save the Jews from death.

    But what he was sure of, was that the Jews would be saved in some way from this murderous decree that Haman had the King sign. Notice the phrase “deliverance and relief will arise from some other place”. Even though Mordecai was not sure that Esther would be the one to obtain relief he was sure that God would indeed find the right solution to protect his people.

     Perhaps we are praying for a situation or circumstance and we believe that we know how God can alleviate the situation and so we pray for that solution.  “God if you would only touch so and so’s heart.” We would do better to pray for the will of God to be done knowing that if it is in God’s will, he will find the right person or right solution for such a time or situation as this.                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                     Pastor Dave