Several years ago I was on a mission trip scouting expedition in Nicaragua on my birthday. The day before, our small team had driven from the capital city of Managua to the coastal town of San Juan Del Sur. I had not felt well that day (another story for another time), so I had gone to bed early while the rest of the team explored some that evening. Consequently, I woke up the next day, my birthday, pretty early while the rest of the team slept.
I got up and showered and decided to walk the couple of blocks from the hotel to the beach. I was feeling a little down, actually feeling somewhat sorry for myself. San Juan Del Sur is beautiful and I wished that I was experiencing it with my wife who was 1,200 miles away. That the day before had been pretty much a wash for me because of feeling unwell added to my discouragement, and the icing on the proverbial cake was that it was my birthday, yet I could not celebrate it with my family.
I passed through the hotel doors and stepped onto the street that was just awakening. Then, a handful of paces later, God got my attention in a big way. I heard music—loud music—begin to play. That in of itself is not out of the ordinary. But the specific song that I heard was. Bellowing through the streets was the Happy Birthday song…in English.
While the tenor was singing the regular words of the song, my heart heard different words. It was as if God was whispering into my soul, “I know where you are. I know what day it is. And I know what you are doing here. You are not forgotten and you are not alone. Now get on with what I have sent you here to do.” Needless to say, my attitude changed after that.
This week, we turn our attention to the Book of Esther, the account of the Jews in captivity who were on the brink of genocide. While God’s name is not mentioned in the book, His presence is obvious as He worked providentially through Esther to save His people.
I wonder if God’s name is not included in the book to help us understand how the Jews likely felt during this account. I imagine they felt as if God had abandoned them—they were all alone in a foreign land and came literally hours away from extermination. But, God was there with them. He had not abandoned them. He had not forgotten them. This is what God’s people then needed to learn, and it is what we need to know and pass along to our kids today. As you prepare this week, keep these three truths in mind:
God Plants You Where You Are
It is somewhat easy for us to see how God had placed Esther where she was—even if the path there may have been difficult—for a good reason. It is somewhat more difficult for us to recognize this truth in our lives. But it is just as true for us as it was for Esther. God’s providence is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has always been at work and always will be at work to bring to pass what He will—what brings Him glory and what is good for His people.
Think the path that brought you where you are today. Can you see God’s gentle guiding hand along the way? Now consider where you are. God has you exactly where you are for a reason. What opportunities to glorify God and point others to Him do you have each day? How are you fulfilling God’s calling?
God Sustains You Where You Are
Esther was where she needed to be, but that was not the end of the story, but rather the beginning. Esther had to step forward—to take a risk—to intercede for her people before the king. I love what she called on the Jews to do first: to fast. We can presume that this fasting included praying to God on her behalf. Esther knew that success did not depend on her, but rather on God. God would be the One to grant her favor with the king.
As you consider where you are and the opportunities God has given you to make much of Him, you may feel ill-equipped. And that’s ok. In one sense we should. But, that should not cause us to cower in fear, but rather to implore God for His favor. God does not plant us where we are and leave us alone there. He is with us—always—encouraging and empowering us to fulfill our calling. Take time this week to pray—perhaps fast even—and ask God to give you success to serve Him faithfully where you are.
God Uses You Where You Are
God used Esther in an amazing way to save His people. Now, we have to be careful hear to understand two things. First, God will use us for His purposes. Second, how God uses us may not look the same. God will use us, but He may not do so in such a noticeable way. Or He may use us even through adversity (think of Joseph in Genesis). We need to have the confidence in God’s providence while also maintaining humility to accept whatever God puts before us.
What obstacles and adversity have you experienced, or might you experience, as you seek to be faithful to God where He has planted you? Has this prevented you from boldly following God at all? What might be holding you back from obeying fully and joyfully?
Insistence on security is incompatible with the way of the cross. What daring adventures the incarnation and the atonement were! What a breach of convention and decorum that Almighty God should renounce his privileges in order to take human flesh and bear human sin! Jesus had no security except in his Father. So to follow Jesus is always to accept at least a measure of uncertainty, danger and rejection for his sake.” — John Stott (1921-2011)
John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006), 281.
Preschool Tip: There is a lot of story to tell this week, so be sure to guard your time as best as you can so that you can tell your preschoolers the narrative well.
Kids Tip: Consider pointing out to your kids that God’s name is not present in the Book of Esther. Ask them why they think that might be, and where they can see God in the book apart from His name being mentioned.
Elaine Price says
So so good!! Thank you! Your words are always inspiring as I prepare to teach 4th graders the inexhaustible resource of God’s Word!!
Jenny Kim says
In this week lessons it referred to a printable handout. Is that part of separate pack or in the future can I find that online?
Aaron Armstrong says
Hi Jenny, the printables are included on the discs in the Leader Kit, in MyCurriculum Manager for churches using digital resources, and in the Additional Resources under each volume.