For Such A Time As This
I slept in this morning. It was deliciously wonderful! I woke up to the smell of bacon, which meant Bobby was busy making breakfast! The day outside my window was just so beautiful! A perfect fall day. Oh, how glorious! Then I remembered how this world was going crazy. This greatly saddens me.
Remembering What God Says
That didn’t make the outside world any less beautiful. But the thought of the atrocities in Israel made my stomach churn and has made my prayer life much more active. I keep thinking and praying. Scripture comes to my mind to comfort me concerning Israel and all the innocents…
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Looking At Esther
I love the Book of Esther! It’s certainly a rags-to-queen-riches, Cinderella kind of story! But it is so much more than that! This fairytale story is true!
The real story takes place in a time when God’s people, the Jews, were in exile from their land, Israel, and the Persian empire was ruling. It came about during this time they were in danger of being totally annihilated. They were in a very, very bad way!
Eventually, the fate of the Jews came to rest in the hands of a girl who had caught the eye of the king. So much so he had made her his queen.
Little did the king know that she was a Jew!
Earlier in the story, this king, Ahasuerus, had been tricked by a wicked man, Haman, who loathed the Jews. Ahasuerus was tricked into writing an edict that all the Jews were to be slaughtered!
For God’s chosen people, the world was turned upside-down!
The Jewish queen, Esther, had a very wise uncle Mordecai who advised the queen to go before the king, unravel the evil plot and beg for mercy.
Going before the king uninvited also meant almost certain death. Even for his queen!
Uncle Mordecai said to Esther…
FOR IF YOU REMAIN SILENT AT THIS TIME, RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE WILL ARISE FOR THE JEWS FROM ANOTHER PLACE AND YOU AND YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE WILL PERISH. AND WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE ATTAINED ROYALTY FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?
This story has a happy ending for Esther, her uncle Mordecai and the king. But not for the evil Haman!
You can read how this true story turns out in the bible. Or you can read it HERE. It’s really a wonderful true story!
We, too, have been placed here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. And even at this time and in our dire circumstances, GOD IS IN CONTROL! Just as He was in control in Queen Esther’s time and in all times past. And will be in control in all times future, and in eternity.
Jesus said,
I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33
So we, who believe and trust Jesus for our salvation from this world and its troubles, CAN have peace!
Be comforted, friends! You and I, no matter what we are faced with, can trust God and have peace! We are told upfront this world will always be full of trouble. But when we have a relationship with THE LORD Jesus the Messiah, we can have peace.
The words, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS, keep rolling around in my mind these days. And I believe I am here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS to bring glory to God and help others!
And so are YOU! You are also here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!
Worry and its close cousin, fear, are thieves and time-wasters! Giving in to them shows a lack of faith and a belief in the lier of the world!!! Worry and fear can add NOTING to our lives! Worry and fear cannot change our circumstances, but they keep us wallowing in them.
I may worry, and I may be fearful. Those are the times I run to God’s Word for truth and peace! Only in Him are they found! God is Truth! And in Him alone is peace!
Instead of worrying about the upside-down world right now, thank God that this is where you are right now because He is with you! Ask Him to show you how to be a joy and a comforter and a help to others.
We cannot change where we are, but we can change how we react and think about things! We can align our minds with God’s truth, His word!
We can be a blessing because we are here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!
Here’s What I’m Memorizing This Week
I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33
Thank you so much for this timely reminder that God is, in fact, in control. Even though it may not seem like it sometimes. I needed this today.
Thank you for a sweet reminder this morning. I do love this story and it was good to re-visit. You could have built it up even more by referring to her negative mother in law, and what inner strength it must have been for Esther to rise up. She was a blessing for her people and God.
Happy Sunday, I was feeling a bit “blue” due the time change, COVID, and thinking of how to best navigate the holidays, you reminded me, I was made for such a time as this! I’m often the “joy giver” in my family, work, and friend relationships, and maybe that’s my role for a bit longer. I just need to remind myself to keep filling my own tank!
You eloquently expressed my thoughts
Loved this post and read the story of Esther. It helped put everything into perspective. Thanks for the encouraging words!
God bless you Cindy! By the way, I’m a Pratt too.
Thank you for this post. Sometimes we need to be reminded of things. Today feels like it is that type of day for me. I love the story and your gentle reminder was lovely.
Good morning, I’m so thankful I found your site after visiting OSP. You nailed the message we all need to hear. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Have a blessed day
God bless your day too! So glad you found StoneGable.
Dear Yvonne, what a comforting, encouraging, and timely post!! I deeply needed this reminder, that God is in control. I was looking at my circumstances and allowing the enemy to make me feel hopeless. God bless you! ❤?
We are not hopeless if we are in Christ! We are MORE THAN VICTORIOUS!
I love your Sunday editions. For the past 10 years I dealt with my hubby having Lewy Body Dementia. The last 5 after he got the diagnosis. This past year was awful for him. He fell a lot; I tore my meniscus trying to help him; EMTs became our best friends; and in May, when I could no longer continue, I placed him in memory care. I was finally feeling a little like myself again when my ceiling in the family room crashed to the floor without warning. For a month I and my big dog had to live with various relatives during repair. I had just gotten back into my house when my hubby took a turn for the worse and died. If not for the promises of God I could not have made it. Keep on sharing His Word ad promises. You are doing a good thing…bringing hope.
Nita,God bless you! I am so sorry for your loss! Hugs to you today
Beautifully said! PTL for you and the message you bring!
Yes, Praise God!
Thank you for the beautiful post and story of how God is always with us, ‘in such a time a this.’ When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit through God’s word and prayer we can make a difference! Exactly as you said: ‘be a joy, a comforter and a help’. We need to support one another this way and be His light in this time. God Bless you, and enjoy your beautiful Fall Sunday!
This is perfect Yvonne, thank you for this so very true. Fear is a liar and a bully! I love the story of Esther, what a woman of character, conviction and faith she was! Happy Sunday! Be blessed!
You are right, Kathleen! Fear is a bully! Thanks for reminding us
You are such an amazing woman. I look forward to your Sunday blogs. Well, actually I look forward to all your blogs. But on Sundays you always come through and show how much you love the Lord. You’re blogs have a true Christian spirit and they always make me closer to God and helps lift my spirits during a trying time. So Thank you.
I agree with you in this sentence “Ask Him to show you how to be a joy and a comforter and a help”, as most of us are so worried about how things may turn out eventually. I was calling some students’ parents last Friday and one of these people sounded so, so sad, that from memory I have just called her home again. Her husband answered the phone and He couldn’t believe there are people praying for his wife to get better. I firmly believe it deals with the current situation the world is under. So, if somebody else would like joining praying for this family, I am a hundred per cent certain, everything will improve for her.
I am worried about the way the world is going, but I am sure He is is charge and will keep all of us safe from illness and safe from despair and deep sadness.
Big smile for you, yours, everybody on this blog, but specially for those that really, really are more in need to feel His LOVE.
Huge hug from Spain once more,
Charo
Charo, I can just read the love in your heart, friend! It is so comforting!
Charo, I will pray for healing on the family you need help for. God is so good and I truly believe the more that pray the faster the healing. God bless your loving Spirit.
Thanks so much! It means the world to me. Lots of good people here.
Big hug for you and yours,
Charo
Hugs right back Charo! xo
Charo, sending many prayers from Texas your friends way??????
Thank you Yvonne.
Thank you for your thoughtful lessons. I hope you have a blessed week.
How do you share your post? I would love to share these wise words from you on my Facebook page. I see share this post, but it’s not clickable.
You can copy the url (the https:… at the top of the Sunday Scripture page and then paste it into your FB post. Hope this helps.
I’m enjoying this Sunday morning, reading about Esther and trying to remember that we are not the first to go through such devastating times, that plagues and and other things have happened in biblical proportions yet the world has survived. We can only control how we react. I’m going to try to do better.
What a great reminder. We can react with fear and anxiety or we can react with trust and anticipate how God will move in our lives. Thank you! How we act is such a witness to others.
Amen!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful lesson. Your blog is truly inspirational. Have a wonderful week and God Bless You.
Thank you, Patty! God bless you too!
Thank you my sister in Christ for the gentle and loving reminder. God is in control of everything. I am grateful for your ministry. You decorate my heart.
LOL! Oh, I love that! Thank you.
Thank you for your wise words of truth! I have always enjoyed the book of Esther and it’s a good reminder that God can empower us to be brave and courageous. I am grateful for His peace that I have experienced during this upside-down season. Thank you for the beautiful way you share your heart with us.
Yes, Lora! We all need that “peace that surpasses all understanding”.
I simply cannot wait to meet Queen Esther! Thank you for sharing today…….it was just what I needed to read. And God wins. He has overcome the world! And knows my journey of grief and pain. I am so thankful and blessed by those promises. Be blessed today as you move about your day. I know I will.
Excellent, timely and well written! Thank you! This is a great post to start the week.
Thank you!
Amen ! I also love this true story ??✝️
I love the story. It is so true. As you said we may be worried and fearful but we must put our trust in our Heavenly Father. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you so much for this reminder. God is our only hope and He is in control.
Amen!!!
Amen!
I always look forward to Sunday and your beautiful words about our Lord and Savior. Thank you for sharing your faith.
I love your wise words! Thanks so much for sharing your Sunday blessings!
Happy Fall love the month of November!!
Thank you for these words of wisdom. I believe in God’s holy word. Sometimes we need a reminder and an encouraging word.
I’ll add another AMEN from a sister-in-Christ!
Thank you. Sometimes I need a reminder
I really needed that today. Thank you.
What a blessing this has been to me today! Thank you for reminding us how very truly blessed we are!
I wholeheartedly agree God is in control and I know my life and times are in His hands!
Thank you for sharing.
?????
AMEN! Thank you Yvonne, just what you needed to hear today.
Sorry, I meant to say what I needed to hear today!
Thank you so much – I live each day with the fact that no matter what happens, God is now, always has been and always will be in control.
Yes, He and He alone is our only SOURCE!
I too am a believer and I do appreciate you and all of your posts. Please keep up the great work you are going! You inspire me for decorating my home as well as my walk with Jesus. God Bless you!