WordJourney

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” — NASB

The Book of Esther is unique as well as profound in two ways: it is the only book in the Bible where the name of God isn’t mentioned and it features the life of a reluctant heroine, a young Jewish woman by the name of Esther.

Some have argued that not mentioning God is proof that this book does not belong in the Bible. Although the omission of any direct mention of God is curious at first, I believe God wanted to show us that even the least noteworthy people can be used in a mighty way and He will be glorified through our actions. Sometimes we put too much reliance on our words when our actions speak volumes. In other words, God’s name can be glorified by what we do more than by what we say.

What was going through Esther’s head during this time? I can imagine plenty — her people, Israel, were removed from their land and living under the authority of a godless empire. She was a young, Jewish woman married off to the leader of this empire too. Her godly cousin Mordecai was her mentor and her only link to the outside world — the news he was bringing to Esther was terrifying!

Even though she may have been reluctant, Mordecai encouraged Esther to use her access to her husband, the king, to save her people. The risk was great — if he didn’t want to see her, she could have been put to death. On the other hand, if she didn’t intercede, God would have raised up deliverance in another way, but Esther and her family would perish in the process. Talk about pressure!

The Book of Esther is a message to God’s people to use their access to influential people to help bring about change including rescuing those in distress. You may feel reluctant responding in the way He has shown you, but your obedience will pay off. If you do not take advantage of the access given to you, then God will bring along someone who will and you’ll lose your reward.

Unlike Esther, your life may not be on the line, but your effectiveness as a Christian in an important situation certainly is.

He has shown you, O man; what is good; and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? — NKJV

I have heard plenty of messages over the years discussing the definition of Christian service. Some people tie their salvation into what they do for God while others believe that nothing more is required of them — God did it all through the finished work of the cross.

Personally, I have learned that it is the middle ground where God wants me to be — I cannot do anything to earn or work my way toward salvation, but out of love for God I seek to do those things which can further His kingdom. In other words, I participate in various activities and pursue those things which bring glory to Him. That also means I have wide latitude to pursue many different things that glorify God.

Micah 6:8 invites the reader to take a fresh look at serving God. Instead of merely doing a specific task, we’re asked to do these things with a right heart. Justice, mercy and a humble attitude define Christian service, therefore no work for the Lord is truly acceptable to Him without applying these three requirements to everything that we do for God.

Asking the Holy Spirit’s help to apply these requirements to our lives will enable us do what is good. It is easy to get caught up in daily tasks without seasoning our work with justice, mercy and a humble attitude.

Failing to apply Micah 6:8 to our lives makes our Christian service empty and unfruitful, as described in 1 Corinthians 13 — without love, I possess nothing.