No matter the translation in which I read Esther 9:1, I find myself getting goose bumps.
Read this verse, written out below, in several different versions:
The order the king had commanded was to be done on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. That was the day the enemies of the Jewish people had hoped to defeat them, but that was changed (NCV).
Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on the thirteenth day when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the master over them, it was turned to the contrary…(NASB)
The thirteenth day of Adar came, the day on which the royal proclamation was to take effect, the day when the enemies of the Jews were hoping to take effect, the day when the enemies of the Jews were hoping to get them in their power. But instead, the Jews triumphed over them (GNT).
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s order came into effect. This was the very day that the enemies of the Jews had planned to overpower them, but the tables were now turned (MSG).
Four translations should suffice.
Did you feel it? Did you sense the relief? Hear the sighs? Experience the joy? Taste the sweetness of the words, “but the tables were turned…all that was changed…but instead…it was turned to the contrary?”
There would be no chapter 9, verse 1, except for an insignificant orphan girl from a defeated country, named Esther.
I hope that sinks into the very depths of your soul.
Esther had no great qualities – she was simply God’s girl, in God’s place, during God’s time, fulfilling God’s dream for God’s people.
There was a need.
Esther stepped down (in humility), stepped up (in prayer and fasting), stepped out (of herself), and stepped forward (with courage).
As a result, everything changed.
The enemy was defeated.
Salvation was delivered.
Celebration was proclaimed.
We often find ourselves in situations where the tables need turning – wrongs need to be made right, children need to be protected, the unborn need to be fought for, the values we hold dear need to be embraced, marriages need help, and enemies need to be eliminated.
Sometimes those things that we are most passionate about are the very things that God puts in front of our eyes so that we might be the one to stand in the gap.
We might be His woman. or His guy.
He might have us in this place, during this time, to fulfill his dream for His people in our day.
He doesn’t ever seem to use those who are qualified.
He only seems to use those who are available, surrendered, and willing to set self aside.
Will that be me? Oh, I pray so!
I pray I’m trained to hear His sweet soft voice calling me forth.
Will that be you?
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