For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Mordecai’s challenge to Esther: perhaps you are where you are for such a time as this.
KJV11All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
A Jewish queen in the Persian court risks her life to save her people; the Hebrew text never names God, yet His hand is felt throughout.
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
God is able to save us, said Daniel’s three friends, and even if He does not, we will not bow.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Paul to a timid young pastor: the Spirit God gives is not one of cowardice, but of power, love and a sound mind. Feeling afraid is not failing, and you are not left alone in it.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Threatened by the authorities, the first believers prayed not for safety but for boldness.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus does not promise a life without trouble. He promises peace in Him, because He has overcome the world.