Esther 4 -- The Ocean Liner Illustration

Esther was insulated from all news in the king’s harem.  Her people had begun to fast and pray for God’s intervention, and Mordecai showed up at the king’s gate in the rough cloth of mourning so Esther would be told and inquire.  Through her eunuch Hathach, she received the news of the upcoming annihilation of the Jews.

Her problem, though, was that she didn’t know palace protocol and Mordecai did.  He was also a man and he was in touch with what was going on, my commentary said.  She needed his wisdom.

He reminded her of three solemn facts:  First, being in the palace didn’t guarantee she would live.  Second, God would bring deliverance from so other source if she failed to act.  Mordecai knew the Abrahamic covenant protected the Jews from annihilation.  “To know to do good and not do it is sin (James 4:17),” my commentary said.  Thirdly, he told her that her presence in the palace wasn’t an accident.  She had “come to royal position for such a time as this.”

My commentary also gave several truths about God’s providence:  First, God has divine purposes to accomplish in the world.  Second, He accomplishes His purposes through people.  Third, God will accomplish His purposes even if His servants refuse to obey His will.  Fourth, God isn’t in a hurry but will fulfill His plans in due time.

I loved the illustration A.W. Tozer used:  He compared God’s sovereign purposes to an ocean liner leaving New York City for Liverpool, England,  “The people on board the ship are free to do as they please, but they aren’t free to change the course of the ship … Only a sovereign God is great enough to decree freedom of choice for men and women, and only a sovereign God could fulfill His wise and loving purposes in this world and even make evil cooperate in producing good.  The question is not, ‘Is God in control of this world?’ but, ‘Is God in control of my life?’  Are we cooperating with Him so that we are part of the answer and not part of the problem?”

Father, thank You for allowing me to have a part in Your divine sovereignty.  Guide and direct me to that which You would have me do.  Let me always be part of the answer and not part of the problem.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford