Why Are We Here?

Psalm 24 NKJV

A Psalm of David. 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

Intro:

Esther 4:13–14 NKJV

13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

I am a lover of history. Through I read many books and commentaries to prepare for my messages, if I read just for pleasure, it is historic in nature.

There are certain parts of history that fascinate me. And when I find an author that explains it so well that it captivates my attention, that is a book I will read again.

Some books have gripped me so that I have thought, I would love to have been alive during that period in history. For instance, the 1770s-1800s always interest me.

I have wondered, what would it have been like to live during that time. To meet the Founding Fathers? To be in New York or Washington D.C. in those days.

But this interest extends beyond US history. I also think that when I read the bible. Wouldn’t it have been amazing to be there on the day of Pentecost? Or when Peter and John prayed for the man to get healed? Or when Saul of Tarsus was on the Damascus road?

Then I think of Church history, specifically in the past decade. I would have loved to been at the Azusa street revival. Or to have attended healing crusades in the 1940s-50s.

Even in our church, when we prepared for the the 65th Anniversary, our church history captivates me. Many of you have lived through all of it, some were born into it, then there are those who have recently joined the story.

Whenever I have those thoughts, I remember the words Mordecai spoke to Queen Esther. Her story is one that captivates me because it is one of courage.

1. The Setting

After God’s people lived in exile for seventy years, the Persian Empire allowed them to return home. While many did go back to Jerusalem, some chose to stay.

The book of Esther tells of those who did not return. There were people who hated the Jewish nation, especially when they dealt with a righteous person like Mordecai.

They conspired to annihilate the Jews. However, God intervened. Mordecai encouraged his niece Esther to meet the king. The king chose Esther for his wife.

While this took place, Mordecai’s enemies discovered a way to destroy the Jews. In our text we read of Mordecai’s encouragement to Esther.

He wanted her to speak to the king on behalf of her people. To go before the king was treasonous. She could have died. She explained this to Mordecai, and notice what his answer.

God will provide a way of escape for the Jews, do not doubt that, but could it be that YOU WERE CALLED TO THE KINGDOM for SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

Suddenly, Esther realized why she was here. She called the people to fast for three days and finally she went before the king.

2. The Success

To make a long story short, God supernaturally intervened on her behalf. The enemies of the Jews died instead of the Jews. Furthermore, God protected and honored Mordecai for his faithfulness.

The success of the story does not happen at the end, it started when Esther realized her place in the kingdom. God used her at a critical time in Israel’s history.

And now thousands of years later, we still tell of her story.

I find it interesting that we do not read about God anywhere in the book of Esther. Read hear of his people. We see HIs people use their spiritual disciplines, but his name is absent.

However, that does not mean He is absent. In fact, the book is less about Esther or Mordecai, and more about God who placed the right people on earth at just the right time.

Close:

What is my point in this?

I have prayed for a while as to what I should bring in regards to a devotion for our Annual Business Meeting. Normally, I have a clear direction weeks if not a month in advance.

This time, noting came to me. I told Bekah, help me pray, because I want to share something special from God.

Yesterday afternoon it hit me, why are we here? We are here because placed us here for such a time as this.

As much as I love history and all God did in the past, it would not work to go back. Instead, I have to trust that God has a plan for my life in the present!

Likewise, every person in our church has been called to the Kingdom for such a time as this. God doesn’t make mistakes. He knows exactly what He is doing

The New Testament promises:

Romans 8:28–30 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Tonight, as members of our church, I want to remind us, God will work all these for our God. Every person is needed for such a time as this.

And I recall all the good God has done before? Why couldn’t he use us to do something even greater.

As long as there is breath in our body, God has us here for such a time as this!

We are here.

We are valued by God.

We are important to Him.

And He has great plans for each of us, individually, and corporately!