Wednesday, 7/22/20 – Pressing on…

Day and Night

Surprising and unplanned circumstances had placed Esther, a cousin and ward of Mordecai, himself a Jew taken captive under Nebuchadnezzar, into the Queenship with King Xerxes. (See Esther, chaps 1 & 2). When Mordecai got wind of a plot to destroy the Jews he urged Esther to utilize her privileged position and intervene. He said to her,

“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 4:14)

Mordecai saw the hand of the Lord in bringing Esther to this precise time and place. The great trial that had fallen upon the Jews mixed with Esther’s time and placement from God. The challenge which now faced Esther became her opportunity to demonstrate before God her commitment to His purposes for her life and the lives of His (and her) people. It was all for “such a time as this.” She acted, and she shone.

A good friend of mine recently brought to my attention this comment by missionary Nancy Cockrell:

“It was God’s plan all along to bring you here to serve Him, by using your gifts to minister to others – for such a time as this. He has given you the grace to reflect the love and character of Christ, to be a light in a darkened world – for such a time as this. You have a unique place of service in God’s Kingdom, touching lives as only you can do – for such a time as this.”

Because you are right where you are supposed to be your trials too are opportunities — opportunities to remain faithful, endure, respond courageously, speak for Christ, serve the Church, Christ’s Body.

1. Your gifts are needed by those in your area of contacts and influence.
2. Your needs can be met by the people and resources you can access.
3. You play an integral role in the building of your local church, and the Universal Church of God.
4. You have an essential influence on the lost around you. Visible / invisible.
5. The Lord does not want you to seek an alternative.
6. There are things for you to learn right where you are!

You have been created to inhabit this moment. Whatever you may at times think or question you are strategic to this time and place. Now is your hour of opportunity, the doors are open to you. Soon the clocks stop, time is ended, the doors are shut, eternity is your only reality.

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (Jesus, in John 9:4).

What must you do or be before it is no longer possible?

Press on…

To hear Pastor John’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.