For Such a Time as This

Have you ever wondered, "What is my purpose? Why am I here? What is God doing? Why am I stuck in this same place year after year? Why is my life so hard while others seem to have it easier?" You are not alone in your questioning. Many people have been through difficult circumstances not understanding what it was all about at the moment. Later in life, God's purpose can become clear, when He chooses to reveal it.

I love the book of Esther in the Bible. Esther was just an ordinary Jewish girl, though she was beautiful. Esther must have questioned why she was chosen to become the queen by King Ahasuerus. Later on, a wicked man named Haman devised a plot to have all of the Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus eliminated. Esther's cousin Mordecai told Esther to go to the king and ask for her people's lives. Esther was hesitant to do so at first because anyone appearing before the king who had not been bidden by him could be put to death, unless the king extended his golden sceptre toward the individual. Mordecai replied (Esther 4:14), "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 had been placed in the palace for a reason, to play a role in the deliverance of her people.

I'm sure Joseph wondered why he was allowed to be taken from his father's house and sold into slavery in Egypt. Even though he served his master Potiphar faithfully, Potiphar's wife lied on Joseph, and he was thrown into prison for years. Joseph must have wondered what the purpose was for all of this. One wonderful day, Joseph was finally plucked out of prison and exalted to Pharoah's right hand. By wisdom, Joseph saved the country of Egypt and was also able to feed his father's house through years of famine. Years after coming into Egypt, Joseph said to his brothers (Genesis 50:20), "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Joseph finally understood God's purpose for all of his struggles.

What struggle are you dealing with right now? Maybe that coworker who makes your life difficult every day is the very one that God sent you to that company to be a witness to. Perhaps you are the one that will have an idea that will help save the company from going bankrupt. Maybe you are the only Bible your coworkers and neighbors will ever read. Perhaps your trials will help you encourage someone else going through the same thing later on.

No matter what you are facing, remember that God is sovereign and He is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows what you are going through and He promised to be with you always. He promised to work things out for the good (Romans 8:28). Maybe this is your "for such a time as this" moment.