Esther 4: 13, 14 "...do not imagine that you...can escape...who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this."

Mordecai had been made aware of wicked Haman's plot to eradicate all the Jews throughout the kingdom.  He tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes at the king's gate, and eventually relayed the message to Esther.  Thus begins the written correspondence between Esther and Mordecai through Hathach, as courier who was one of the king's eunuchs. Mordecai sent a message telling Esther what Haman had persuaded the king to decree. And Mordecai's clear implication was that she had been strategically placed at this time as queen to speak to the king.  Esther was in a place where she might speak, but only if the king initiated her coming to him. Already, the appearance of insubordination by Vashti (1: 12) had caused Vashti to forfeit her position as queen.  Wouldn't Ahasuerus think that Esther was doing the same? No one tells the king what to do, and no one has the right to see the king, unless the king is so inclined.  The king had not requested to see Esther for the last 30 days (v. 11), which was normal. Esther could initially avoid offending the king in order to save her life, but as Mordecai reminded her, this would only be delaying  an inevitable death even for her.  If this law went into full effect, even she would be executed.  In essence, "Esther, either you die trying or you will die for not trying!"  Real courage is recognizing that we have a mission to perform.

If we do the right thing, it might cost us our life.  But if we do not do anything, it will cost us the life that God desired and purposes for us to live.  Every day we should recognize that God has given us another day...to serve Him, to love Him, to obey Him.  We have no idea what that will mean, in what it may cost us, or how it may bless us. But, if we do not live like Esther, we will die in other ways, in our joy, passion, and in fulfilling our purpose in life.  Esther's message from Mordecai is also the call to all of us to live each day with purpose for Him.  Wherever you go, work, or frequent, God has called us, sent us, put us there for such a time as this.  The call to Esther was for her to go and not say no, and that is ours as well.  If anyone will come after me let him deny himself and take his cross and follow...for such a time as this (Luke 9: 23).