“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (KJV)
It is no secret that a lot of things are happening in the world, a lot of chaos, uncertainty, anger, etc. Out of all that is happening in the world, we know that God is the answer. But even though we know it, we deal and struggle with different aspects in our lives.
We might feel alone at times; especially now that we can’t gather and go on with our daily routines. We are used to going in and out of the store and finding what we need at the prices we can afford, but that is not the case anymore. We have to cover our faces and we have to walk through the aisles with caution. We can't even stand in a line like we used to. Covering our faces, we feel as if we cannot breathe as we walk through the stores and/or other places we need to go. Overall, we struggle thinking about our jobs and our children’s education. We hear and know of people suffering and dying. We also see people being careless and not caring about others. We can’t go to our usual conventions or revivals. And, it seems that when people need us the most, we cannot be there to welcome them. We are limited in our surroundings.
Now, I am not writing this so we can feel bad about the current situation in which we are living (and I do know it is worse for some people). However, I do want to remind us of what we are facing. Through all of this, I have felt the need to go to my local church and hug my sisters. I have felt the need to worship together and feel the freedom like no other time. I have felt the need to come into the church building and open the doors and just feel the air around me; to be able to tell everyone that they are invited to come in. At this time, I am not able to that.
Going forward this is not all that we will face. In this time, we see people taking advances of the scripture to benefit themselves. We see people pretending to care and be better than Her (the Church) when we know it is not a competition. We feel let down by those who surround us. We know decisions are being made without putting God first. We are quick to judge instead of pray. We want to know everything, just to make assumptions. We take heed to the voice of the enemy far too often. We must realize that we too are to blame.
We talk about how great The Church of God is! But why is She covered? Why do we feel defeated? Why do we feel like we can’t keep on? We had what we wanted the way we wanted it. Knowing it was not enough, we prayed for change and we pray for the glory of the Latter House. We know that when those prayers get answered, times will change. Our wants and our comforts have to be removed so we can get out of that zone. We stand in our comfort zones like we were meant to stay there—unmovable. Why can’t we stand and lift up our voices and say who She is? Why can’t we see Her true beauty? Where is Her foundation? We stand around Her, but we can’t find Her. Yes, She has no riches and She’s small in numbers. She has been hurt and She has been broken, but She still stands! And, She always will. However, She feels the weight of all of those who won’t give their all to be a part of Her. During these trying times, where is She? We must ask our own selves? Do we know?
We must take every opportunity to be The Church and count it a privilege to be pushed out of our comfort zones. Adam and Eve saw that light in the darkness. The blood of the righteous Abel called out even after death. Noah looked for a just people. Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker was God. Joseph endured all the trials knowing God meant it for good. Moses looked for the promise land. The apostles preached the message as they waited for the return of Christ. Peter found the Christ, the Son of the living God. Stephen, in his last breath, looked up to the heavens and saw Christ standing. Paul served the One he persecuted. John saw the end times. Christ saw in the twelve—The Church of God. Christ looked death in the face and defeated it. Christ faced the enemy and conquered. He looked into the world and loved it so. He is still looking at His Church and knows who She is.
I would like you to know that this is the time to stand. This is the time to be ready. This is the time to be mature. This is the time to be fearless. To stand for what you believe; to fulfill the scriptures when they speak about the Great Church of God. It is time that we face our greatest enemy. It is time that we win our own battle—the battle within you. We must change! We must pray like never before! We must be full of that oil. We must be on fire. We must work on those little things that keep us from glowing. We must be saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost-filled, and with a deeper revelation of the Church. We must stand and work. Expect not your will, but God’s will. Not numbers or accomplishments others can see, but results in this dying world. We must stand and be! We cannot doubt. Don’t do this for others to see or to be able to post numbers on social media. Do it because you love God and the Church and because you still believe in His plan!
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther 4:13-14, 16 (KJV)
Esther had a decision to make and so do we! Will you choose to take a risk and stand for the Church for such a time as this! We are separated, but we are surely still the Bride. We struggle, but we fear not. We battle, but we know victory is ours. We are not many, but we must be an army full of His Spirit.
I know this is an opportunity for many of us to be the Church; an opportunity to grow personally. We will not be able to stand before God and say we didn’t have the time or opportunity.
The time is now. Just like Esther fought against all the odds, we can, too. She prayed and prevailed. She put God first. She was meant to be there for that time and that battle. You and I are meant to win this battle and to be that people who are unbreakable and uncontainable. We must be resolved—And if I perish, I perish.
Be The Church of God for such a time as this.
