Courage Producing Faith

We often hear a particular verse quoted from the book of Esther, chapter 4, second half of verse 14, And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this. It is a worthy scripture to quote, to remember as God stretches us out of our comfort zones and into new territory, but there’s the first half of this verse that I feel needs a little more attention. It might not be as catchy for a tee shirt design or fancy Instagram square, but it is what gives the second half a firm foundation to act upon.

Esther has been raised by her cousin, Mordecai…they are Jews, unbeknownst to anyone at the palace for he had told her not to give away that bit of information…and through a particular set of circumstances, she finds herself, Queen Esther, married to King Ahasuerus. Haman, an official of the King, in fact, recently promoted to his highest ranking official, demanded that all the kings servants would bow to him, paying homage. Everyone did so, except Mordecai, who would not bow. When the other men present asked him about his actions the fact he was a Jew came to the surface. The men told Haman who was furious and sought to avenge his status not man to man, with Mordecai, but by destroying all of the Jews. All, the Jews…young, old, men, women and children. Haman even went to the King for approval to send out a decree to all his land announcing the exact day all officials will set out to kill the Jews!

When Mordecai found out about this he tore his clothes and sat in sackcloth which was reported to Queen Esther. Through a series of words exchanged back and forth through one of her eunichs’, Esther finally understood what was going on. He told her that she must go to the King and tell him of Haman’s plan, but as was custom, she was only allowed to enter before the King if he beckoned her to come. Arrival on her own could mean certain death. Upon hearing this, which Mordecai would have already known, he says to her in verse 14:

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.

Did you catch Mordecai’s confidence in what he would have known from the Old Testament teaching? That God would not allow all Jews to be destroyed, but would save a remnant (Rom 9:27), therefore, someone or something would have to stop this decree to annihilate every Jew. What gave Mordecai such confidence that he was willing to suggest to his cousin, whom he had raised as if she were his daughter, that she should risk her life to enter before the King to tell him of this decree?

Faith.

He had faith that the scriptures were true and that God’s Word was trustworthy. His faith produced courage in her, that indeed, relief would come from somewhere, and what if God did have her in this place for this reason at this very time so that she might be the one to courageously step in and save her people!

The story goes on with fasting, praying, a feast, and redemption as she saved her people and Haman got what was coming, but I’d like just another minute with this faith that produces courage…

Where does it come from? Would he be willing to risk her life on a ‘maybe it might be true’ kind of faith? I don’t think so. He had a faith that was confident in the truth that only comes from knowing God, and having unwavering faith and knowledge in His Word.

We can have this confident faith when we accept the gift of Salvation by confessing the birth, life, work, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in our hearts. However this may sound to you, if you are not a believer, I get it…I was there once too. Even after I accepted the gospel as truth it took years for me to step into this confident faith that produced the courage it took to step into what He was calling me to. God might not call us to risk our lives to save an entire people group, but it might be something that paralyzes you with fear and you need to trust that what He says is true. Exodus 14:14 says, The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still. God will do the hard work, He just wants your faithfully willing heart to courageously step in to your calling!

Be courageous!

~Jules