A Bold Decision

“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 your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Esther had spent years being told to hide her Jewish heritage by her Uncle Mordecai. She knew she’d be in danger if she revealed to the king her true background.  So when King Xerxes put the crown on her head and declared her queen, she still held back her family history.

But the day came when all of the Jews were to be sentenced to death. Her uncle encouraged her to go to the king and plead her cause.

Esther’s stomach must have dropped when she heard her uncle’s words. She explained that she hadn’t seen the king in over a month and she could not enter his presence unless she had first been called into it.

Mordecai again encouraged her to go to the king, pointing out that God may have set her in the royal palace for just this very reason.

So, Esther told her uncle and the Jewish nation to pray for her and fast. She would do the same and afterward, she promised to seek out the king.

Up until this point, Esther’s silence had guaranteed her survival. But she made a bold choice to stand up for her nation. Not only did God reward her bravery by rescuing the Jewish people, but He also destroyed their enemies.

God, when it’s hard to speak up, please give me the courage to stand. I want to be brave and bold, just like Esther was. In Jesus’ name, Amen.