All Hail the Queen
14 September 2022
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4
Seven decades. Fifteen prime ministers. We’ve all heard these days how England’s Queen Elizabeth was the longest-serving monarch when she died at the age of 96 last Thursday. Over her 70-year reign, she supported her people through the build-back after World War II, the Beatles, and Brexit.
Original: Joel Rouse/ Ministry of DefenceDerivative: nagualdesign, OGL 3 <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3>, via Wikimedia Commons
You’ve heard some the records set by Queen Elizabeth:
- According to Guinness World Records, Queen Elizabeth II holds the record for the most countries to be Head of State simultaneously, which stands at 15.
- With her image appearing on at least 33 different currencies—including in the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand—the queen holds the record for the most currencies featuring the same individual.
- World’s longest-reigning queen and the second longest-reigning monarch—King Louis XIV ruled France for more than 72 years—and at the time of her death she was the world’s oldest and longest-serving living monarch.
But hold on. All these worthy accolades for Queen Elizabeth remind me of ANOTHER Queen perhaps even more inspirational to me! More impactful for my daily living.
Like Elizabeth, this young lady might have felt too young, too unprepared, or too unworthy to serve in such a lofty position. And unlike Elizabeth, this young queen faced the additional challenge of being an immigrant to the country of her new reign. The name of the young lady is Esther. God’s people under the direction of the Holy Spirit felt her story was so key and inspirational to our faith journeys that a book of the Bible is named after her! (Can you think of the other Bible book named after a woman? See the bottom of this letter for the answer).
It’s a long story, but because of her honesty and faithfulness (in addition to inner and outer beauty), Esther is selected by King Xerxes to serve as Queen of Persia and ends up intervening at a critical point to save the Jewish people from genocide. But as a young lady new to her role, she apparently doubted herself. That’s when her uncle Mordecai offers her some encouraging advice that speaks to so many of us still today: Esther, if you remain silent, God will surely find another way to intervene. But your inaction will cause you sorrow and regret in the future. “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4.12
For such a time as this.
What is God calling ME to strive to do in such a time as this? This day, this month, this year? These are the Queen Esther questions that inspire me. It’s natural to question why God positions us in certain cities, with certain people, in certain times in our lives. Oftentimes, the circumstances are perplexing. But what if we woke up each day with the “Queen Esther Ethic” buzzing in our spirit? “God has put me in my position for such a time as this! And I will do my best to make a positive impact, with God’s help!”
Over her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth wielded no formal political power. But people loved her because ever since writing notes of encouragement to British children who moved to the United States for safety in World War II, she fought for the welfare of the commonwealth. Likewise, Queen Esther wielded no formal powers and actually risked punishment trying to influence the king’s intervention for the Jews’ safety.
Do you ever feel you have “no formal power” to affect a situation?
Take inspiration from the queens, especially Queen Esther, this rags to respectful female of faith who did their best to let God’s action plan flow through her.
Made part of the royal priesthood with you, (1 Peter 2.)
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray:
Dear God, I don’t own the world’s largest private art collection, including thousands of paintings and some 450,000 photographs, like Queen Elizabeth did. But I do have a collection of talents you’ve given me specifically for me for my life mission. Boost my courage to act boldly in life, despite my inner doubts—that I’m too young or old, without official power, wrong gender, from insufficient background, or whatever. Let me hear your whisper, “for such a time as this!” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
