For Such a Time as Now
“For such a time as this.”
It sounds like an ordinary phrase. But it comes from an extraordinary story.
Mordecai sent a message with these words to Esther in the king’s palace as the Jewish people faced potential death due to the king’s edict. “Who knows, Esther, whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
In response, Esther realized she had an unprecedented opportunity to address an urgent need. So she fasted and prayed, and then this Jewish queen risked her life in an effort to change the king’s mind. She stewarded the unique grace she had been given, and in a stunning reversal of a royal declaration, God used one Jewish woman to save his people.
I want to share this story with you because, well, I actually believe it’s your story. And mine.
For Such a World in Need
Do we realize the time in which we’re living? There are more people today unreached by the gospel than ever before in history. That’s more people than at any other point in time who are on a road that leads to an eternal hell without having ever heard the truth about the One who alone can give them eternal life. That sounds like an urgent need to me.
And you and I have unprecedented opportunities to meet that need. Just think about it.
It took Paul the apostle not just days, but weeks and months to travel from one city to the next. Sometimes by foot, other times by ship, and it wasn’t always the smoothest of trips! He never could have fathomed a machine that would pick you up and carry you through the air just about anywhere in the world in less than a day. With snacks along the way!
It also took Paul weeks and months to write a letter and have it delivered to someone else in a different city, then weeks and months to get a reply. He could never have imagined being able to communicate with people around the world in real time in multiple languages through a device we carry in our pockets!
For Such a Glorious Gospel
Do we realize the time in which we live? Yes, there are more people unreached with the gospel than ever before in history, but we also have more opportunities to reach them than ever before in history!
God has graciously placed you and me in a unique time in the world where we have truly unprecedented opportunities to meet eternally urgent needs for the good news of the gospel. So what will you and I do?
Let’s not squander the grace God has given us. Instead, let’s steward it. Let’s each look at our lives, let’s fast and pray, and let’s do whatever God calls us to do for the spread of the gospel around the world.
Who knows, brother or sister in Christ, whether you have not come to the world for such a time as this?
