November 27, 2023: Esther Risks It All

 "... And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14, ESV)
 
There exists a considerable risk between: "Maybe you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." (Mordecai), and, "If I perish, I perish." (Esther).  Risk is defined as that which presents the possibility of loss or injury. On one side, exists the possibility of success; on the other side, there is the possibility of loss or death. We face risk all the time. 

The question is, "What will you risk for the Kingdom of God?" Risk is woven into our lives. We can't escape it. At times, we can manage it, but other times we cannot. Esther did not know what the outcome of her action would be. She had no special revelation from God on what He would do. She had to make a decision based on love for her people and the wisdom of Mordecai, her uncle.   

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego took a risk. "God can deliver us, but if he does not, we will not bow to you, O king." Paul believed that his trip to Jerusalem was necessary for the cause of God. Yet he did not know what would happen there. Arrest, affliction, imprisonment, death?

The love of God compels us to take risks! His love in us compels us to reach out to a lost and dying world with the Gospel. We never know the outcome; we only know God's value for people and our call to take risks to reach them!