God’s Greatest Rescue—Are You In?

             Have you ever paused a moment to contemplate the immense courage it took to be Esther of the Old Testament?  I mean really, I doubt the events listed there were her annual plans. I’m certain her resolution list didn’t read, “Go up to be the king’s concubine; try to become queen”?  I have a feeling she had no designs on being queen—or meeting the king, for that matter.  So I wonder what she felt most-- terror, confusion, anxiety? 

During that long year of purification prior to even meeting the king, how many times did she want to go home?  How many times did she wish she was doing laundry for Mordecai instead of prancing around in fancy robes, doused in spices? How many times did she question God concerning his ability to make-- or not make-- mistakes?  Did she know her presence in the palace was part of God’s great rescue plan? Was her relationship with the God of her people so personal that she trusted him even when the path ahead was dark?

I believe Esther trusted the hand and heart of God to work out her life.  As she stepped through the doorway and waited to see the king’s response, as the possibility of imminent death made her knees knock and her heart explode, the absolute assurance that she had been brought to the kingdom for this particular task (Esther 4:14) gave her the strength to step forward, enacting a rescue plan that would save her people from certain death. 

The rest of the story feels like a blur.  Haman signs his own death warrant, Mordecai is honored, and the people of God survive yet another in a long line of annihilation threats.  Among the multiple lessons that come from the story, one stands out most. God’s plan is perfect as long as we follow it.  The Esther account proves it. Each event in the account is another stepping stone to the path of rescue.  Think about it.

  If Vashti hadn’t had the courage to quit being the king’s party entertainment, there would have been no reason for Esther to go to the palace.  If Esther had never gone to the palace, Mordecai might not have had a way to get a message inside and save the king’s life.  If the king had been assassinated, the new king might not have loved Esther, making it less likely that the scepter would be extended if she went to see him uncalled.  If Esther had not been able to see the king, she would not have been able to help save her people. Although Esther might have been confused concerning why she was in the palace, God wasn’t. He was planning those events long before they began. God was preparing the path for a rescue.

You already know how desperately our world needs a rescue.   Read the news. Talk to a stranger.   People everywhere are searching for a rescue—from addiction, from fear, from sin, from themselves.  The good news is that God has already planned their rescue and has strategically placed his people to aid that effort.  He’s been planning it all along.  Were you wondering why you ended up in Podunkville when you’d rather be in the big, fast city?  Have you been there a while and still haven’t figured out why God put you there?  Do you feel confused about what’s going on in your life?  Is the path ahead dark? I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it's okay.  You have been brought to the kingdom, to that town, that church, that place, at this time to be part of God’s rescue.

You see, we tend to look around us and get downhearted.  We gather ourselves together and shake our heads, muttering how it surely has to be the last days.  And it might be.  I don’t know.  Neither do you.  No one does.  What I know is this—Jesus died for ALL those people we are busy shaking our heads over.  Every. Single. One.  He wants ALL of them to be rescued by his grace. (II Peter 3:9) And he wants ALL of us to do our part to make that happen. Reach out to the people next door, witness when the opportunity presents itself, exit your comfort zone and do something new.  Meet people.  Take advantage of every opportunity to show Jesus to others.  Do your part to exhibit and share the love, grace, and redemption you have received. You have been called to rescue the perishing.

 

           So are you in? I hope so. I hope you are reaching out to those around you regardless of their age, race, religious background, sexual preference, or personal creed.  I hope you are actively seeking to do your part to rescue the perishing.  I firmly believe you have been placed in your town, your community, your church to be light at such a time as this.  You have the amazing opportunity to be a participant in God’s greatest rescue operation.  How could you possibly refuse?