Esther is a story of a young lady in a place of prominence who puts herself at risk in order to do what is needed. This is an important lesson for those God has placed in leadership. It is a lesson for those whom God may call into a position of prominence. It is a lesson to know how better to pray for those in leadership.

The story of Esther is an exciting read (and only 6 pages in my Bible). Esther is a Jewish girl who becomes queen by winning a beauty contest. All is well until a wicked official lies about Esther’s uncle Mordecai and her people the Jews in order to convince the king to let him kill them all. Mordecai tells Esther that she must go to her husband the king and plead for her people. This she would do, but there is a problem. If someone came into the court to ask a favor without being summoned, he would be put to death unless the king granted special permission to that person. Esther had not been called to the king’s presence for 30 days. Remember that she became queen because the king was displeased with the previous queen.

Her excuse was not good enough. Mordecai told her that she should not think that because she lived in the palace she would be spared. If she did not plead for her people, God would send help from someone else and she would perish. Then he makes the most stirring statement of the book (v 14): And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this? Esther knew he was right. God put her in the right place at the right time to be the person who could undo this great injustice. She asked that all the Jews of the city fast with her for three days before she went in to the king. In v 16, she says, If I perish I perish. She would be the one God would use to save the people, or she would die trying.

As I read the book of Esther, I am struck by two things: those who are placed in a position of influence should use it to serve God; and God is really sovereign over everything. God is in control and God has a sense of humor. God takes the pomp and frill that the wicked Haman lusted after and gave it to Mordecai who couldn’t care less about it. God took the lot that Haman designed for the Jews (destruction) and gave it to their enemies. And the lot Haman tried to get by scheming—political power—came to Mordecai because of his faithfulness. God is in charge of our lot in life. When he calls us to acts of personal risk, he is not calling us to fail. God is in control and will use our actions for his purpose.

God gives us gifts, opportunities and positions for a reason. You may never hold public office, but if you do, there will be an occasion for you to use your position in a special way to serve the Lord. It takes courage to do the right thing when popular sentiment is for the wrong thing. There may be a political price to pay, but that should not control us. Remember, God is in control.

You never may be famous or powerful. God will still present situations where you have influence. Serving God will seem like a risk. Perhaps your reputation, or your finances or some other bit of security will be at risk. Remember, God is in control of your lot. You do not have the power to keep these things from risk. Only God can safeguard them. Better to do what God calls you to do.

If you are a parent, you have a great deal of influence over your children. You will be called to say and do things that will not always be popular with them. You have to do it anyway. God has placed you in that position for just such a time.

You may have a friend who needs to know the love of Jesus in a very personal way. Billy Graham has a lot of influence in the world, but there are people who listen to Graham and other famous people and wonder if they can trust this gospel. They may need to see and hear the gospel from you in order to trust that it can be real for them. You have a relationship with them that a famous preacher will never have. Who knows if you have been placed into that position for just such a time?

Are you in school? You have a relationship with other students that no adult has. What about where you work? You have relationships with co-workers and opportunities that others do not have. What is God calling you to do in those situations?

Remember that God is sovereign. God is in control. Don’t worry about failing. God will not fail. Don’t worry about blowing it. God will not fail. God will not fail. With the Holy Spirit guiding us, neither will we.