God Given Opportunity: Part-2 | Sun 22 May | 2022 Year of Abundant Harvest

We welcome you all to the house of the ONE AND ONLY LIVING GOD and His name is JESUS!

Today we will continue with our ongoing series, “God Given Opportunity!” And today we will learn further with this series’ Part-2.

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

If we read the book of Esther and specifically focus on chapter 4, (we will talk about it in detail later), we will understand the times during the period this was written.

And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.

Good subjects must not conceal any bad design they know of against the prince, or the public peace. Mordecai was not rewarded at the time, but a remembrance was written. Thus, with respect to those who serve Christ, though their recompence is not till the resurrection of the just, yet an account is kept of their work of faith and labour of love, which God is not unrighteous to forget. The servant of God must be faithful to every trust, and watchful for those who employ him. If he appear to be neglected now, he will be remembered hereafter. None of our actions can be forgotten; even our most secret thoughts are written in lasting registers.

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.

Mordecai refused to reverence Haman. The religion of a Jew forbade him to give honours to any mortal man which savoured of idolatry, especially to so wicked a man as Haman. By nature all are idolaters; self is our favourite idol, we are pleased to be treated as if every thing were at our disposal. Though religion by no means destroys good manners, but teaches us to render honour to whom honour is due, yet by a citizen of Zion, not only in his heart, but in his eyes, such a vile person as Haman was, is contemned. The true believer cannot obey edicts, or conform to fashions, which break the law of God. He must obey God rather than man, and leave the consequences to him. Haman was full of wrath. His device was inspired by that wicked spirit, who has been a murderer from the beginning; whose enmity to Christ and his church, governs all his children.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and an edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation to all the peoples to be ready for that day.

A familiar picture from today’s times. Isn’t it? Some trust in horses and some in chariots, but we will trust inly in the Lord.

Esther chapter first few verses suggests that Mordecai avowed his relation to the Jews. Public calamities, that oppress the church of God, should affect our hearts more than any private affliction, and it is peculiarly distressing to occasion sufferings to others. God will keep those that are exposed to evil by the tenderness of their consciences.

And if we read further from verse 5 through 9 and all the way to verse 14, we will understand that we are prone to shrink from services that are attended with peril or loss. But when the cause of Christ and his people demand it, we must take up our cross, and follow him. When Christians are disposed to consult their own ease or safety, rather than the public good, they should be blamed. The law was express, all knew it. It is not thus in the court of the King of kings: to the footstool of his throne of grace we may always come boldly, and may be sure of an answer of peace to the prayer of faith. We are welcome, even into the holiest, through the blood of Jesus. Providence so ordered it, that, just then, the king’s affections had cooled toward Esther; her faith and courage thereby were the more tried; and God’s goodness in the favour she now found with the king, thereby shone the brighter. Haman no doubt did what he could to set the king against her. Mordecai suggests, that it was a cause which, one way or other, would certainly be carried, and which therefore she might safely venture in. This was the language of strong faith, which staggered not at the promise when the danger was most threatening, but against hope believed in hope. He that by sinful devices will save his life, and will not trust God with it in the way of duty, shall lose it in the way of sin. Divine Providence had regard to this matter, in bringing Esther to be queen. Therefore thou art bound in gratitude to do this service for God and his church, else thou dost not answer the end of thy being raised up. There is wise counsel and design in all the providences of God, which will prove that they are all intended for the good of the church. We should, every one, consider for what end God has put us in the place where we are, and study to answer that end: and take care that we do not let it slip. Having solemnly commended our souls and our cause to God, we may venture upon his service. All dangers are trifling compared with the danger of losing our souls. But the trembling sinner is often as much afraid of casting himself, without reserve, upon the Lord’s free mercy, as Esther was of coming before the king. Let him venture, as she did, with earnest prayer and supplication, and he shall fare as well and better than she did. The cause of God must prevail: we are safe in being united to it.

What do we understand from this? Well, it is simple, you are the person responsible for your actions. The Bible says Esther always Mordecai, her uncle. She obeyed him since she was child and she obeyed even after she was married.

We must honour our parents similar how Esther honoured her uncle, else judgement will be upon us.

“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

For any breakthrough there is only one way, i.e. prayer and fasting and a breakthrough will come.

Opportunity is today, not tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation says the Lord. If you are not able to recognize the opportunity God has given, then you will lose it and opportunities never come.

Illustration: A missionary once suggested that few people made good use of opportunities and few did not. When the times come, the ones who missed to use their time, will consider their time wasted. But then it will be too late.

Last week we read the parable if 10 virgins. Five of them lost the opportunity.

What exactly “Opportunity” is? In simple words, it is a combination of circumstance favourable for a purpose, as defined.

We can think of Lot, his brother Abram built alter wherever he travelled. Lot was with him but never built any alter. Lot missed the opportunity to glorify Gid by building alter. Then we have heard the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Then we have heard the story of Jonah as well. The entire city came to God.

Esau lost his birth right only for a bowl of soup. That time birth right mattered a lot. He missed opportunity for a smaller thing.

Similarly, we have lost many heavenly opportunities just for small worldly things.

If we read Luke 19:29-43, we will find that Jerusalem lost the opportunity. These were the people who didn’t had a guide and did not trust in the Lord and lost the opportunity.

Wasted opportunities in your life can be a severe setback for you.

Illustration: While traveling with my brother, he asked that whether we will recognize our family members and friends? Well, I said that Jesus was recognized when He returned, however for us, there won’t be the longing that we have. More than crown, there is presence. Think about a bigger picture and for the generations to come.

Another important thing is, you need to get out of your comfort zone in order to grab on to a new opportunity. We like to be comfortable. There is always a favourite seat at the restaurant, a certain seat in train/airplane/bus etc. That’s your comfort zone and that’s alright. However, in order to grab an opportunity, you need to get uncomfortable. And God is calling you out today for you to come out of your comfort zone.

Esther went out of her comfort zone in order to fulfil her commitment. How many of us are willing to go out of our comfort zones?

David’s story is well known. He was brought in front of Goliath. David was definitely not comfortable; however he came out of his comfort zone and God blessed him immensely.

Moses came out of his comfort zone and stood against Pharaoh. He wasn’t even comfortable in speaking, yet he grabbed the opportunity that God gave him and rest is history.

Do you take your opportunity to share the word of God with someone who never knew Jesus? If you think no, then today is the day.

Esther didn’t know how to do that, David didn’t know how to fight, Moses didn’t know how to speak, yet they came out of their comforts and grabbed opportunity given to them by God and they made use of it.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Today is the appointed day and you need to grab this opportunity to go out of your comfort zones and reach out to the souls thirsty for Christ. Trust in God and believe in Him. He is giving you the opportunity but remember one day the door will be closed and it will be too late. Don’t think of the missed opportunities anymore, but think of today that God has given you.

Church, we hope you are encouraged with today’s word and ready to respond to the opportunities given by God. Thank you for joining us and we will see you again, next Sunday. God bless!