For Such A Time As This

I really don’t like this current time. Our culture is deteriorating rapidly, obsessed with sex, adopting unbiblical and unscientific views of the nature of sex and gender. Not only are many adopting these views, but their adherents are putting pressure on those of us who disagree. They refer to us as “haters” for refusing to believe the new orthodoxy. Freedom of speech and religion seems to be going out the window. Our country’s influence in the world seems to be diminishing and persecution of Jesus’ followers is increasing in many countries, and even in our own.

As a student of history, I have sometimes wished that I had lived in another time. I have been drawn to the World War II era, which was a terrible time of war and destruction. But there were positives, such as the unity of our country, the spirit of sacrifice, the strong moral compass, and of course, big band music!

Or living in Jesus’ time, maybe even following him. Times were hard for believers then but the glory of his presence and the joy of seeing Messiah in the flesh would have been awesome.

Esther

In answer to these thoughts, the Lord directed my attention to Esther.  She was elevated to queen of Persia through the favor of the king.  Then she faced a crisis, the potential destruction of her people.  Her cousin Mordecai urged her to go to the king, identify herself as a Jew, and appeal against the law that would have brought on the persecution of the Jews.  Esther balked, pointing out that if she entered the king’s presence unbidden, she could forfeit her life.  She added that the king hadn’t summoned her for 30 days.  She probably wished that she had lived in another time.

Mordecai

Mordecai responded to her in Esther 4:13-14: “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Esther responded. She proclaimed a fast and acted, saving her people. 

What About Us?

Just as Esther was afraid to confront the evil law of her time, fearing for her own safety, we are often reluctant to confront the evil in our culture. We are afraid to speak out, fearing ridicule, loss of our job, or worse. But we can’t choose our time and place. God has us right where we are, “for such a time as this”. It is our responsibility to speak to the evils of our time. As Mordecai reminded Esther, God will accomplish his purposes regardless of our participation, but he calls us to do something. Like Esther, we need to pray, fast, and receive boldness from God to speak truth. The world and our country need our prophetic voices.

What can we do?

If we own particular businesses, we can emulate people like Jack Philips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, for politely declining to bake a cake for a same-sex “wedding” because of his biblical beliefs. Or Baronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers, for choosing not to provide floral arrangements for a similar event.

We can write letters to the editor in our local newspapers, expressing God’s view of the issues of our day including abortion, marriage, relationships, and others.

We can relate to individuals as God gives us opportunity, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:14).

Paul also writes, “don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11). We are the salt of the earth, the preserver and the flavoring. We are the light of the world, to let it shine before others so that they may see God working through us. (Matthew 5:13-14).

Stand Firm

However, speaking the truth has consequences. Jack Philips and Baronelle Stutzman have endured years of lawsuits and attacks on their businesses. Others have lost their jobs, been ridiculed and criticized. But there is also the joy of doing what God asks us to do. Peter and John, when they were beaten for their testimony, rejoiced that they were privileged to suffer for the Name of Jesus. (Acts 5:40-41).

In the midst of the storm, let’s remember what Jesus would have us do. We must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). God so loved the world, everyone in it, (John 3:16) and he died for all (2 Corinthians 5:15). He wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4).

We are here for “such a time as this” and God wants to use us, not only to resist evil in our time but to bring as many evildoers as possible into his Kingdom! We can do this because the Holy Spirit is with us, to tell us what to say! (Luke 12:11-12)

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