“And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” Esther 4:14 (NIV)

Time… we talk about it, we plan for it and quite often, we complain about it. But when I tried to put into words what time actually is, it was kinda hard. The definition I found says “a measurable period in which something exists or continues.” In our lives we go through many different seasons or “times.” The Bible says, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

We have a season for parenthood, when you’re raising your children. Then there’s a season of just living the daily grind, go to work, come home, wash clothes, cook supper. There comes a time when the kids are grown and we make our exit out of the workforce and enter into that season of, “Ok, God, what do I do now?” There’s a time for marriage but also a time for singleness. Your season may be blessed with physical health or it could be that you’re burdened with physical sickness. Some seasons are short while others drag on forever. Some are fun, some are not enjoyable at all. We have easy times but we also have times in which we don’t think we can take another step. Our season may be one good thing after another or it could be filled with heartache upon heartache. There are times when we seem to be resting perfectly in that place of contentment but there are absolutely times when we are struggling to find how to get to that place. But we can know that nothing comes into our lives that doesn’t first pass through the sovereign hands of Almighty God.

In the book of Esther, God is not mentioned at all but when we read that story, it is so easy to see His fingerprints all over it. He was providentially orchestrating every single circumstance. He worked it all together, one step at a time, so that Esther would be set up in the palace at that specific time to help bring deliverance to the Jews. That same God is in control of our lives too. And He doesn’t just know our story, He is the Author of our story. He has written every word, every punctuation, every chapter according to His perfect will. He has placed each and every one of us exactly where we are for such a time as this.

He has put you into that family, to teach your children about Jesus and show them what godly parents look like. He sends you to that job day after day to witness to that lost coworker so that you can lead them to Christ and grow His kingdom. Sometimes, He puts us in the middle of the fire where the flames are so hot with no end in sight, so that when He walks us out the other side, and believe me, He will… you can look back and say, “Oohhh, I see what you did there God.” Your praise and rejoicing will serve as an encouragement to others. You see, God doesn’t waste anything. He can take what looks like the biggest mess and turn it into an amazing message.

The Bible says “Our times are in His hands,” (Psalm 31:15) and there are no better hands to be resting in. We are also told that “God changes times and seasons,” (Daniel 2:21), so where we are now is probably not where we will stay. Be encouraged that this is not the end. Let your eyes be lifted up to Christ and praise Him, knowing that a “time such as this” has a purpose. He is preparing you for the next chapter in His divine story and you don’t want to miss it… this is gonna be good. Deliverance is coming….

He reveals the deep and hidden things. Daniel 2:22 (CSB)