Chapter 4 - For Such a Time as This
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Image via Wikipedia I haven't posted much lately on my blog because we recently moved so life has been chaotic as you can imagine. After being in a new place for a little over a month now, reading this chapter really hit home for me. As you can imagine, based on the title of the chapter - For Such a Time as This, this chapter is about Queen Esther and the time period in which God had placed her. He, being the Sovereign God that He is, had Esther living right at that exact time in history and in that exact place to accomplish His plans and His purposes. Of course, He didn't need her to do that. God could have had someone else accomplish His plans. Yet Esther submitted to what God had in store for her and she was immensely blessed and her people also.
One of the main things that I took away from this chapter is there are always two stories going on when all we see is one. I've never thought about that before but the two separate but integrated stories are:
- that which we see happening in this world, which Nancy refers to as the kingdom of man, and
- that which we don't see, which Nancy refers to as the view from the Kingdom of God
I found this information very insightful knowing that, being in the world, we have a limited view of what we see happening but God sees all. Nancy goes on to say that there is a "behind the scenes" plot in each story. This would be God's plan underneath what we see going on in the world.
I want to give you a few quotes from this chapter hopefully to encourage you to read the book for yourself.
- Whether it was Esther then or you today, only God knows - and only time will tell - why He has sovereignly placed you where you are right now, at this moment in history. (p. 79-80)
- Esther, in taking her bold measure of faith, was willing to leave the palace, risking her life in order to save her people. The Lord Jesus, by comparison, actually did leave His heavenly palace, giving up His life in order to save His people. In this way, Esther's story foreshadows the gospel message, even as our lives are intended to point people to the redeeming heart and work of Christ. (p. 81)
- You too are a tool in the hand of God, being applied to situations that may just feel like "everyday life" to you but are actually backlit stages where the purposes of God are being put on display from your street address. (p. 81)
- Nothing in this world can abort His eternal plan. (p. 83)
- Never underestimate the significance and influence of your faith, your prayers, your faithfulness, and your obedience. (p. 83)
Let me finish by reiterating something that Nancy wrote that encouraged me immensely - "The entire story, from first to final chapter, was written by God in eternity past; it is being unfolded in our present day, waiting for its ultimate outworking in eternity future." If we can keep that perspective in the forefronts of our minds, we will be better prepared to carry out God's plans for our lives while on this earth. After all, it's all about Him, not us.
For more information about Nancy Leigh Demoss and her ministry, Revive Our Hearts, go to http://www.reviveourhearts.com/. You can also buy this book and other books that will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. If you're interested in reading more of my reviews, see "My Reviews" in the column on the right side of this blog.
Trusting you're recognizing little kisses from God today!
