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They told Esther's words to Mordecai. Then Mordecai asked them to return this answer to Esther: "Don't think to yourself that you will escape in the king's house any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows if you haven't come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:12'14 WEB.

John Wayne once said, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." A young woman named Esther once faced a decision like that, which could have led to her execution. A law was passed in the land to exterminate all the Jews who were living in Persia, and she was Jewish.

Esther had hidden her family's true identity. She was safely living as the Queen in the royal palace when her uncle Mordecai asked to plead with the king for her people. Mordecai wanted Esther to try and obtain the king's mercy. But if Esther went into the king's chamber without first being summoned, there was an automatic death sentence unless the king chose to pardon her by extending his golden scepter.

When Esther hesitated to speak with the king, her uncle Mordecai told her that if she did not go, the Lord would send someone else, but she would miss out. Esther was just a young girl and scared, but she pulled herself together and said: "If I perish, I perish." After fasting and praying for three days and nights, she went in to meet the king and convinced him to spare her people. Ultimately, the one who came up with the evil plot, Haman, was exterminated. There is a Jewish holiday called "Purim" that commemorates the event.

It's easy to be strong when there is nothing to be afraid of, but our faith is tested in the furnace, like refined gold. Don't cower back from whatever you have to face today. You are here for a purpose, for such a time as this. If God is for you, who can stand against you? If you withdraw, God will send someone else, but you will miss out on what He has in store for you. So stand firm, and know that God is with you. You are well able to face whatever comes your way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me to Your kingdom for such a time as this. It is no accident that I am living here today, and I know that You have a plan and a purpose for me. Please fulfill Your will in my life. Guide my steps and draw me into a deeper relationship with You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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