Esther’s story is told in the book of Esther
Esther: Courage for Such a Time as This
Have you ever found yourself in the right place at just the right time? Maybe it felt like more than just a coincidence. That’s exactly how the story of Esther unfolds in the Bible. She was a young woman who likely never expected to become queen—or to be the one who would help save her people.
Esther’s story reminds us that God can use anyone, in any situation, to make a difference—especially when we choose courage over fear.
Who Was Esther?
Esther was a young Jewish woman living in Persia, a land far from her ancestors’ home. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah, but she became known as Esther, her Persian name.
She had a hard start in life—both of her parents died when she was young. Thankfully, her cousin Mordecai took her in and raised her as his own daughter. She grew up with love, guidance, and faith in God.
Esther Becomes Queen
One day, the Persian king, Xerxes, decided to look for a new queen. He invited the most beautiful young women in the kingdom to his palace, including Esther. With God’s help, Esther stood out—not just for her beauty, but for her kind heart and gentle spirit.
The king chose her to be queen. But there was one important detail Esther kept secret—she was Jewish. Mordecai had told her not to share that part of her identity, and she listened.
A Serious Threat
Everything seemed to be going well—until trouble showed up. A powerful official named Haman became angry with Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, because Mordecai wouldn’t bow down to him.
Haman didn’t just want revenge on Mordecai. He wanted to get rid of all the Jews in the kingdom. So, he tricked the king into signing a law that would allow their enemies to kill them all on a certain day.
Esther’s Moment of Courage
When Mordecai heard the news, he begged Esther to go to the king and ask for help. But there was a problem—no one could go to the king without being invited, not even the queen. If she went without being called, the king could have her put to death.
Mordecai reminded her that this might be the very reason she became queen. He said:
“Who knows if you were made queen for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
Esther made a bold choice. She asked the Jewish people to fast and pray for her. Then she did something incredibly brave—she went to the king, uninvited.
How God Used Esther
The king welcomed Esther and listened to her. She invited him and Haman to two special dinners. At the second meal, Esther revealed the truth: she was Jewish, and Haman had planned to destroy her people.
The king was shocked and angry. He had Haman punished and gave Mordecai a position of honor. A new law was made that allowed the Jews to defend themselves. God had turned a dangerous situation into a great victory.
To celebrate, the Jewish people started a joyful holiday called Purim, which is still remembered today.
What We Can Learn from Esther
Esther’s life shows us that:
- God can use anyone—no matter where you’re from or what your background is.
- Courage doesn’t mean having no fear—it means doing the right thing even when it’s hard.
- Prayer and faith help us find strength when we need it most.
For Such a Time as This
Esther didn’t choose her situation, but she chose to be brave and faithful. Her courage saved lives. Maybe there’s a moment in your life right now where you’re being called to stand up, speak out, or help someone in need.
Ask yourself: Is this my “for such a time as this” moment?
With God’s help, we can all have the courage to do what’s right—just like Esther.