GUARD AGAINST COMFORT
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?”
Esther 4:13-14 (NLT)
A friend once told me the two things threatening our walk with God are our comfort and calendar. I haven’t forgotten that. His point was that for some people, our calendar is so full and busy that we don’t have time for God. He told me many people say they love God but don’t have a calendar reflecting it. I know it feels harsh and possibly legalistic, but he’s right. I can’t say I love my wife and kids and never spend time with them. Love isn’t a sentiment; it’s an action. Jesus didn’t just love us in sentiment; He showed His love by climbing on the cross and dying our death. His love for us was revealed by where He spent time.
The other thing that can threaten us is comfort. Sometimes, we don’t want to do anything that causes us to step out of our comfort zone. This is what’s happening in the text above. Esther finds out about a plot to wipe out the Jews, and a man named Mordecai calls her to go to the king. This is a massive step out of her comfort zone and actually a risk to her life. See, if the king didn’t summon you and he’s not happy with you interrupting him, you could be killed for disturbing him. Esther is okay with sitting this one out, but Mordecai reminds her that God has positioned her where she is for such a time as this. Think about that. God has positioned Esther, you, me and everyone for such a time as this, and comfort can keep us from going. For some, it could be a comfort that could cost their lives. I got a video from our partners in India who are being beaten up for sharing the Gospel. It was hard to watch. For many of us, it’s a discomfort that causes us to speak up, share with others, and risk our images or popularity to talk about Jesus. God has called you to be a light, but comfort can cause you to dim the light of Christ wherever you go. There’s a fear for so many of us fitting in that it can silence us, but God is looking for people to go for Him. May we be bold wherever God has placed us.
APPLICATION: God has placed you in your community, neighborhood, family and work for such a time as this.
PRAYER: Ask God to help make you bold, to give you strength and endurance to shine brightly for Him, and to help you care more about His opinion than the opinions of men!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?