Every book of the bible has a verse that most people know it for. For Ecclesiastes, for instance, we all know the passage about time, “a time to kill, etc.” For Esther, if you know any verses from it, you know a passage from today, “for such a time as this.” We’ll look at what this passage means, but we’ll also look at it within its context. When we understand the greater story being told, the more we understand the power of this moment.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you today. I hope you’re staying warm because, whew, it is freezing here in Mississippi. My feet are cold, I’ve got on multiple layers, and I’m still shivering. Honestly, I feel like one of those little chihuahuas that steps outside, takes one look around, and says, “Nope, this isn’t for me!” So, wherever you are, I hope you’re cozy and safe as we face this frigid weather together.

Today, we’re diving into Esther chapter 4, one of the most powerful and well-known parts of this incredible story. If you’ve ever heard a sermon or a youth message on Esther, chances are you’ve heard the verse we’re focusing on today—Esther 4:14: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

When Mordecai learns of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jewish people, he’s devastated. He tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and mourns loudly in the streets. But he stops short of the king’s gate—nobody in sackcloth is allowed to enter.

The Jewish people across the kingdom are in mourning too. They’re fasting, weeping, and crying out in anguish. Mordecai’s distress reaches Esther, and she’s deeply troubled. She tries to send him fresh clothes, but he refuses.

Instead, Mordecai explains the situation to Esther through a messenger. He tells her about Haman’s bribe to the king and even sends her a copy of the edict to annihilate the Jews. He urges her to go to the king, plead for mercy, and intercede for her people.

But Esther hesitates. She knows the law: anyone who approaches the king without being summoned risks death unless the king extends his golden scepter. And it’s been 30 days since she’s last been called to see him.

Mordecai doesn’t let her off the hook so easily. He sends back this iconic response:

“Do not think that because you’re in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther’s reply is bold and full of faith:

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

To fully appreciate Esther’s courage, we need to remember the groundwork laid in the earlier chapters. King Xerxes isn’t exactly a rational or forgiving man. He banished Queen Vashti for refusing to appear at his banquet, and he’s demonstrated time and again that he’s impulsive, vengeful, and driven by his ego.

So, when Mordecai asks Esther to approach the king uninvited, it’s not a small request. It’s a life-or-death gamble. The odds are stacked against her, and from everything we’ve seen so far, there’s no reason to believe Xerxes will spare her life.

But Esther steps up. She chooses faith over fear, knowing full well the risks.

The heart of this chapter—and the whole book of Esther, really—is found in Mordecai’s words: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

It’s a powerful reminder that God places us where we are for a reason. Esther wasn’t in the palace by accident. She was there because God had a purpose for her, even if she didn’t fully understand it yet.

And the same is true for us. Maybe you’re not a queen or in a position of great power, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t working through you. You might be exactly where you need to be to make a difference—in your family, at your job, in your church, or in your community.

What if God has placed you where you are for such a time as this? What if there’s a word of encouragement you can offer, a helping hand you can extend, or a truth you can share that no one else can?

Esther’s story reminds us that being faithful doesn’t always mean having all the answers or knowing how things will turn out. It means trusting God and taking the next step, even when it’s scary.

So today, be faithful where you are. Look for ways to serve, love, and make a difference. Maybe God has placed you in your exact position, at this exact moment, for a reason.

Thanks for spending this time with me today. Stay warm, stay safe, and we’ll pick up tomorrow with chapter 5. Have a great day!