CRITICAL UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2020

Please read Entering an Esther Season: Preparation for What’s Ahead

Preparing for Your King: The Lesson of Esther

Esther is an iconic queen. I love her and her story for many reasons. She represents so much…

Redemption – an orphan girl chosen to be the bride of a great king

Purity – a virgin who is favored above all for her wholesome and pristine beauty

Wisdom – a lady with enough wit to stealthily seal the fate of her enemies by the hand of her husband

Sacrifice – a bride who is willing to lay down her life for her people

Heroism – a woman who stands against every possible odd by her faith in God alone, paving the way of rescue for her people, saving them from utter extermination.

To this very day Esther is celebrated. She lived a life of exemplary and heroic faith. And we all want to be redeemed, chosen, beautiful, and even heroic… But there is something Esther exemplifies that I want to discuss with you, and it applies to every true believer who would bear the name of Christ:

PREPARATION

Appointed Time Press was initially founded upon her biblical allegory under the name For Such a Time as This. And unto this very day that phrase has been coined by believers worldwide as we discern divine time. And what does that time divine, precisely? It reveals a dire urgency that beckons us with every passing moment. It speaks to the mandate that burns within the breast of every true believer, to which the elect bride must give a solemn answer:

…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14, KJV).

And so what is your reply to that worthy question?

That is the question Mordecai asked his niece, Hadassah, several millennia ago. And today God would like to propose that same question to you. It applies to all of us, regardless of who we are, what we’ve done, or where we’re living.

Here is the answer: Now is your time – and God has appointed it. Whether you realize it or not your life was divinely ordered by God. And He wants you to fulfill your ordained purpose. What is it going to require for you to do that? And are you ready to embrace the call and mandate upon your personal life, regardless of the cost? What are you willing to sacrifice? And are you ready to pay the price?

Esther’s Story

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish, (Esther 4:16, KJV).

Her answer to Mordecai’s question changed the world.

The iconic and heroic story of Esther is found in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Despite its lack of direct reference to God Himself, it achieved canonization, making it one of the most unique books of the Bible, and one of the most beloved, as it chronicles one of the most strategic moments in time for the Jewish people in all of history.

Hadassah (Queen Esther) was a young Jewish orphan girl thrust into a position on behalf of her people (the Jews) for which she did not anticipate, nor could she easily prepare. Yet her influence was monumental, being both eternal and vast. Her desperate plea affected every Jew who lived during her time, saving them from the impending doom of certain and unjust annihilation. Her simple but heroic faith, and her willingness to sacrifice her life on behalf of her people was honored by God, and His justice was served because of her intercession. Her story is iconic and unparalleled, being celebrated among the Jews to this day in the Feast of Purim.

Your Story

We were all born for such a time as this. Although our stories may differ, may we never underestimate our strategic position in time with regard to eternity. Recognizing that time and being ready both in season and out of season is of the essence. In this way, Esther is an example to us all that we can be vessels of exponential influence, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us and the positions we hold.

Esther was a bride who was preparing herself to meet the king. She recognized her moment, seized the day, and fulfilled her calling. Her life was on the line. She boldly embraced the moment for which she was born. In the same manner Christ calls us to recognize our moments, seizing the day, and be willing to sacrifice our lives for His kingdom and people both in life and death. But there is one difference: unlike Esther, we have been given generous time and opportunity to prepare.

Like Esther, you are also a bride undergoing intense preparation. You’re the Bride of Christ who is preparing to meet the KING of kings and LORD of lords. Understand that God wants you alive and effective, accomplishing your God-given purpose and destiny. This can only happen through obedience. As believers we are instructed to follow Him one day at a time. We do not always know what awaits us. Therefore, being found ready is a perpetual state of being that we must embrace wholeheartedly.

We are all individuals, and no journey with Christ is the same. Developing your own relationship with Christ will be the most important relationship you will ever invest in because it is eternal. Your calling and purpose in this world as a member of Christ’s Body is unlike any other. No one else will ever be able to take the place He’s given specifically to you. Your God-given design, and your personal sphere of influence absolutely cannot be duplicated.

Every believer has a mandate to ‘be found ready’ when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. He is looking for a bride that is without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). As our heavenly Bridegroom, there are things He both desires and requires in His bride (the church). She is to be found ready, faithful, good, and obedient. We are exhorted throughout scripture to ‘watch and pray’ as we await His glorious return, for which we do not know the day or hour. Therefore, being ready is a continual process. Being prepared does not mean being perfect; it means being found ready at any given time, in every moment, on demand.

Every area of your life is important to God. He cares deeply about everything that concerns you, even more than you do. Being ready for Him is not an achieved end, but rather a journey of growth and commitment. It’s a state of heart and mind that we determine to embrace on purpose, which is not contingent upon external circumstances surrounding us. It’s a daily and deliberate choice that requires diligence, consistency, focus and determination as we follow Jesus Christ, walking in His Spirit, moment by moment, day by day…

The achieved end is ultimately the fulfillment of God’s call on your life. The daily challenges, internal struggles, and personal battles you face do not disqualify you from the race you’re running. They are merely opportunities in your life designed to draw you closer to Christ, transform you into His glorious image, and teach you how to overcome those things common to man. We are told to run as to win, and with good reason: because in Christ we cannot lose. He knows no defeat.

There is no battle you face that has not already been won by Jesus Christ. He promises us the victory if we will only follow and obey Him. At times this requires a tenacity that is beyond our human strength or potential, and we become opportunities for Christ’s glory to shine in ways otherwise impossible. Miracles are His specialty. You may be His next showcase.

Are you ready?

This is your appointed time. You do not journey alone. Like Esther, YOU are a chosen vessel for His glory… for such a time as this.

Your answer to the same question can change the world as well.

Cheers & Shalom,

Image Credit: infinity21 | Shutterstock

Updated: September 14, 2020

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