Gifted for a Time Like This
Today, the Jews celebrate Purim. One of the main characters in the story behind Purim is called Esther. She was a beautiful Jewish woman who became queen at the time; she was used mightily by God to rescue the Jews from total extermination.
Her original name in Hebrew was Hadassah which means “myrtle” (a star-shaped flower). Her name as queen was Esther, meaning “star”.
God took a humble star from the ground and elevated her to shine brightly in the sky. He gifted her with beauty and influence with the king for a purpose.
“For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”” (Esther 4:14 WEB)
Just like Esther, you entered God’s kingdom for such a time as this. Your birth in this generation was no coincidence.
I’m telling you that God has a plan for your life. The Holy Spirit distributed gifts and anointings as He chooses; you have received a unique measure of them.
God’s heart is always “relief and deliverance” for His covenant people. He does things mainly for His elect ones who will receive salvation. Many times, He co-labors with believers through their prayers and obedience of faith.
You are gifted in certain things for a purpose. These gifts are meant to be used to bring profit to God’s kingdom.
Perhaps you have heard/read Jesus’ parable of the talents. It is about the stewardship of gifts that we receive from the Lord.
““Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:19-21 WEB)
One day, Jesus will settle accounts with us—not to punish us who are believers, but to reward us based on how we used the gifts He deposited inside us.
Whatever gifts you have received, you are meant to produce good results by using them. The Lord won’t expect you to produce more results than you have the grace for. Five talents result in five more, two talents result in two more, and both the first and second servants in the parable received the same words of praise.
What is it that you have been gifted with? Be like an Esther who fulfilled her calling. She chose to be brave and obey the God-inspired instructions of Mordecai, even if it meant the risk of death.
One day you will see Jesus’ smiling face as He sits on His throne of glory, as He says to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Find out what “few things” you have been entrusted with, and what are the “many things” that Jesus could set you over soon: http://bit.ly/sandcastlesdontlastforever
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