When Words Changed a Kingdom

 by Maureen Miller

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NIV)

Walking the writer’s path can be a scary, even threatening endeavor.

We live in precarious times. Our messages of hope in Christ are as important as ever but can cost us much. Do we waver in what we know in our hearts we’re to write? Is it difficult to send out our words with the knowledge that obedience to God’s call may cost us friendships? Future opportunities? Others’ approval?

Perhaps we wonder if our words even matter.

One biblical character can encourage us. Her story, tucked within the pages of the Old Testament, offers insight and helps us as we grapple with these questions.

After all, a woman named Esther knew of such and teaches us much. Orphaned, her Hebrew name was Hadassah, and she was raised by her cousin Mordecai, a Jewish man in exile. Because he knew of the hardships that could come to a Jew under King Xerxes’ authority, he instructed his adopted daughter to keep silent about her heritage when she was taken to the palace as, quite literally, a beauty queen contestant. And obediently, Esther remained quiet.

Asked what supplies she wanted when it came her time to go before the king, Esther desired only what was recommended, humbly acknowledging that someone else knew more than she did about matters of outward beauty. Humility served Esther well, and she was chosen, likely for the character of her heart. Hence, she became Queen of Susa.

When an evil plot to destroy the Jews was discovered by Mordecai, he urged Esther to go before her royal husband and plead for her people. Though she understood death was the penalty for approaching the king uninvited—apart, that is, from a literal extension of grace—she again chose to act upon the words of her adopted father, but not before spending time in the presence of her heavenly Father. For three days Esther prayed and fasted, and she invited others to join her. Why? Because she knew doing so would birth wisdom and bolster her courage. Then, afterward, she committed to boldly go before the king, stating, “And if I perish, I perish” (4:16b).

Esther displayed important qualities that we, as Christian writers in an antagonistic world, would do well to emulate.

She was obedient.

She was humble.

She practiced spiritual disciplines to gain wisdom and glean courage.

She was bold in proclaiming her message.

In short, Esther heeded her adopted daddy’s words when Mordecai exhorted her, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14).

Her words turned the tide of impending destruction. Indeed, Esther’s words changed the world.

So, too, our words. Directed by the King of Kings—our Abba Father, our Savior, and our Guide—they have unlimited potential. Indeed, they possess supernatural power.

And for such a time as this.

Maureen Miller, adaisy4you@gmail.com

***A version of this story appeared first in The Courage to Write—62 Devotions to Encourage Your Writing Journey, complied by Rachel Britton and Lucinda Secrest McDowell.***