Women of the Bible: Esther’s Courage and Its Impact Today

Consider a chess game. Each piece has its own role and its own power. The queen, however, is unique. She can move in any direction and as far as she likes. This does not make her better than the other pieces; rather, her role is crucial in protecting the king. Esther, in the Biblical narrative, is akin to the queen on a chessboard. She used her position not for personal gain but to protect and save her people.

Our opening scripture today is Esther 4:14 (NIV): "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?"

1. The Unlikely Queen: Esther's rise to queen was nothing short of miraculous. An orphaned Jewish girl becoming a Persian queen is nothing short of divine intervention. Like Esther, God has placed each of us in our current position for a purpose. Regardless of where we are right now, God can and will use us for His glory if we allow Him.

2. The Courageous Decision: Esther's decision to go before King Xerxes without being summoned was not only brave but also risky since it was against the law and could result in death. But Esther chose to act, stating, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). Her courage in the face of possible death challenges us to be brave and stand for what is right, even when it is risky.

3. The Impact of Her Bravery: Through Esther's bravery, the Jews were saved from genocide. This victory still echoes today as a testament of God's providence and protection over His people. It also serves as a reminder of the impact that one brave decision can have.

Women and Men of Courage Today: Like Esther, we are called to have courage. We may not be queens or kings, but we each have a sphere of influence—family, friends, colleagues—a group of people that God has given us to impact. Let's be brave, like

 and stand for righteousness, justice, and truth, knowing that God is with us.

Let's close in prayer:

"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Esther - her courage, her faith, and her obedience. We pray that You would grant us the same courage to stand for what is right, to use our positions for Your glory and for the benefit of others. Lord, help us to realize that we are placed where we are 'for such a time as this'. May we make decisions that honor You, and may our lives impact those around us positively. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

As you go forth, may "the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV). Just like Esther, you are in your position for a reason. Be bold, be courageous, and let God use you for His glory. Amen.