Queen Esther: For Such a Time as This

God gave me this as a personal word for someone, however; I loved what it spoke to me as well.  I kept being drawn back to this section of scripture and the more I read the more God continued to speak to me.  It started with a seemingly simple and unimportant verse.  I say that because I am sure I have read over it a million times and I have never before saw its significance.  In Esther 5:1 it says, "Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the kings palace in front of the king's rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance of the palace."   As soon as I finished reading this verse, I stopped short.  I placed myself in her shoes for moment.  I could not imagine that at this time in Esther's life she actually felt like a queen.  I could imagine, though, that the uncertainty and fear of the future,  and the reality of what she was about to do left her feeling like a small, out of place and very scared girl.  She  alone new her true identity.  She knew she was a Jew just like the rest of them.  Just like the ones being sentenced to death.  She was no different than them.  At this point, the crown on her head made no difference to her and offered her no comfort.  And that is why I love verse 1 so much!  Cause it says she put on her royal garments and went and stood in the inner court.  Fighting all the emotions she was feeling, the voices telling her to run and hide, and the thoughts marching through her head like a ticker tape...... "you are no queen......you are Jew.......you are one of them......what makes you think he will listen to you........". Over and over it repeated itself.  Fear and apprehension built up inside of her.  And yet, with cautious timidity and a humble heart, she slowly slipped on her royal garments.  With trembling hands she placed the royal crown on her head and she embraced the identity of queen that had been bestowed on her.  Her actions spoke volumes to me!  She didn't feel like a queen, yet she chose to embrace her royalty and act like one.  She questioned and doubted her role in helping to save her people, yet she looked beyond her doubt and with faith stepped into the inner court.  Do you see what I saw in this?!  It is pretty awesome!  It spoke three things to me- 1. Esther had been given a new identity. She had been a young,orphaned Jewish girl and was made a Queen. Royalty and honor was her new place. We have also been given a new identity through Jesus Christ. Once we were lost, broken, and hurting. But now......now we have been found! Royalty and honor are our new place! We are Sons and Daughters of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, "But you are a chosen race, a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's OWN POSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had not recieved mercy, but now you have recieved mercy." 2. Esther was scared. She knew her past and her present was not looking hopeful either. If she didn't step up and approach the King her people would be killed. Once it was found out she was a Jew, she would be killed as well. However, if she approached the King, embracing her royalty and walking in it, she also faced an uncertain future. What if he did not hold his scepter out to her? What if he rejected her? She would be facing death then as well. We often find ourselves in similar predicaments. Faced with our past and looking at an uncertain future, it is easy to feel out of place, scared, and very far removed from the new identity given to us through Jesus. We have a choice to make. Do we stick our heads in the sand or do we embrace our new identity and choose to walk as Sons and Daughters of the Most High? 3. Esther chose to embrace her royalty. She was still scared. She was still uncertain of her future. However, she stepped out anyway in an act of faith, trust and obedience to do what she had been called to do. No matter how she felt about it. She allowed herself to be used. In order for us to be used of God, we must follow her example. We must embrace the truth of who we are now, chosen, sanctified, and holy. We must take every thought captive and rebuke the voices whispering to us....."you are no good......you do not matter......what difference can you really make......who do you think you are?" Even if our hands are trembling, we must put on our royal garments, stop doubting our calling and who we are, and with faith step out into the life, the mission, and the purpose God has called us to! Because, YOU. HAVE. ATTAINED ROYALTY. FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!