Imagine having the fate of an entire nation hanging in the balance...and it all depended on your brave "yes" to God? If anyone understood this kind of dilemma, it was Esther. She was an underdog. She entered the king's court in disguise, went through months of (probably painful) beauty treatments, and was miraculously favored and chosen above her competition to become queen. But the favor on her life wasn't just for her benefit. God chose Esther to deliver her people, the Jews, from a wicked plot of genocide—a task only fit for a queen in favorable standing with a powerful king. Every time I catching the clock at 4:14 - I am reminded of the verse in Esther 4:14:
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14,
This famous passage is spoken to Esther by her uncle Mordecai.
This is her deciding moment: will she step into destiny? Will she face potential death to save her people? The good news is, she answered the calling to be brave and obedient ... and God showed up! As I pondered this moment from Esther's story, I began to wonder about it's significance for us today. From the evening of March 6 to the evening of March 7 2023, we enter into the Feast of Lots on the Jewish Calendar, otherwise known as Purim. This Jewish feast is a time to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews by the bravery and obedience of Queen Esther!
Interesting fact: Purim is also called the Feast of Lots because the wicked Haman cast lots (kind of like a lottery) to determine which day he would annihilate the entire race of the Jews. Through the brave obedience of Esther, His plan failed... and with Purim, we've been celebrating ever since!
So what is the prophetic significance for us and how can we practically apply it to our lives today?
6 Ways to Answer Your Esther Calling
Like Esther, God is preparing us for our own divine kairos moments to step into destiny. Kairos time is we suddenly enter into God's miraculous timing to see a shift or break through occur.
Here are 6 ways to step into your Esther Calling:
1. Accept your divine calling.
Esther had every reason to disqualify herself from her royal position. She shouldn't have even been brought into the palace because she was a Jew! However, when God calls us, he qualifies us. He makes a way where there is literally no way. And He makes beautiful stories out of the chaos of it all! What is the destiny God is calling you to step into in this season? Is there a dream, a skill, a mission he has put on your heart - but you've been putting it off out of fear? If you're facing a massive obstacle or challenge... that may be the very thing God wants to use to set you up for a miracle. It's time to let go of fear and say "yes" as you step into your God-given destiny.
2. Bravely obey God.
Esther had a tough choice to make. She couldn't just think about the ramifications for herself - she had to think of how her action - or inaction - would affect her entire people group. She chose to obey God, and that took bravery. Like Esther, God will often ask us to do hard and holy things. This is part of our sanctification process. It is part of consecrating ourselves to Jesus Christ and His purposes.
What if God is calling you to obey Him - because there is someone - or a whole group of people - that will be affected by your obedience to God?
Remember... Your "yes" to God isn't just about you - it's about those God wants to touch through your life. You have a glorious calling. You have no idea the domino effect of your obedience that will help other people!
3. Speak up!
Mordecai's challenge to Esther began with, "If you remain silent at this time..." Esther had a choice: she could either use her voice or passively sit by and watch her people die.
Have you ever let fear keep you from using your voice? Maybe you wanted to keep the peace. Maybe you were afraid of being misunderstood. Maybe you were intimidated into being quiet. I want to encourage you that God has given you a voice for a reason! In the times we are in, it will take more and more boldness to speak up - but that is exactly what God is calling us to. It's one thing to say "YES" to a call from God ... but then, we must take ACTION.
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 ESV
4. Resolve to take the leap of faith—no matter the outcome.
Esther knew what she had to do. Here's her response to her uncle in Esther 4:16: "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish." If I die, I die. This was it. Esther had resolved what she would do. She must approach the king with her unlawful request. It is here that we must realize that God may ask us to go against the culture of the day. Could it be that God is raising up deliverers who will seek His will that will not seem "lawful" in our times? But what if their bravery will save the lives of many and shift the course of nations? Will we choose to fear man - or God?
Trust me, I know it's a tall order. Facing prison? Death? We may be facing other giants: being rejected by friends and family or slander and ridicule.
But if God asks you to be bold - in your workplace, in your community, in your family, in your relationships, in your city, in your nation - he will empower you with strength and joy to do His will. He's looking for willing and weak vessels that he can empower with boldness to impact the nations - so why not you? Jesus is worthy, and any cost He asks us to pay is worth it for the sake of His plan.
5. Let God deal with your enemies.
Here was the original plot the wicked Haman devised: “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.” Skipping ahead in the story, Haman hung on the very gallows he created for Mordecai. And Mordecai? He got the royal treatment that Haman was planning for himself! When we choose to follow God's way and let him give us vengeance and justice - the results will be supernaturally miraculous. He IS and always has been a righteous and just judge. His justice may seem late, but he has the perfect timing. Obey God and trust him with the outcome of the injustice you are facing! He specializes in writing exciting plot twists and good endings.
6. Celebrate your victory!
Obeying the Lord is not always easy, but it's always worth it. While it may be costly in the moment, moments and opportunities for obedience are producing gold within. We are getting to put our faith in action and our devotion to the Lord.
So celebrate your moments of brave obedience ... your Esther moments!
Heaven rejoices with you ... and I believe our steps of obedience is a beautiful fragrance of worship to our King Jesus! He is surely celebrating you, as you come into your divine calling for such a time as this.
More prophetic insight ...
See God's Hidden Hand at Work in Your Life
Another beautiful aspect about the story of Esther is the we see the hidden hand of God at work. God is not mentioned in the book of Esther ... but her story is included in the Bible because we see His hidden hand at work through the divine timing and circumstances of the beautiful story.
In the same way, God's hidden hand is at work in your life. He is moving the right pieces into place. He is opening doors meant for your destiny. He is shutting doors to guide you, protect you, and bring you redemption and hope.
Even when you can't see Him... Esther's story reminds us that Jesus truly is WORKING behind the scenes! It was not luck or coincidence that Esther came into her royal position .... it was the divine timing and hidden hand of God at work. Like a tapestry, Jesus is weaving everything together in our lives.... you may only see a chaotic mess of strings and colors ... but wait for the revealing of the bigger picture. The grand view of what He was been doing this whole time. He is cresting purpose out of pain, always making beauty out of your ashes. He is THAT good! He is a Master Artist and Perfect Author in our lives. When we see a dead end, He always has a surprise twist in store. Have faith ... He is working in the hidden places!
Prophetic Word on the Jewish Calendar: The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
The feast of Purim falls in the Jewish month of Adar, which speaks of strength. This month also has traditional saying that goes with it: "when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy."
All to say, with the month of Adar and the feast of Purim, we are reminded that "the Joy of the Lord is our strength." What a perfect reminder for our current season!
Like Esther, God is calling you to greatness for the times we are in. His joy will be your strength as you step into the divine moment he is preparing you for.
And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:38-39 NIV
God has called you with a purpose! So have faith and don't shrink back!
While it may seem dark outside, God is truly making his people ready to arise and shine for his glory. I truly believe we are going to see God move with awakening and revival in the days ahead - and I want to be ready and watching to be used of God - don't you? Give God a renewed "yes" today, and watch what he does in and through you!
Esther 414 - A Reminder of Your Esther Calling
Whenever I see 414, I am reminded of Esther 4:14 - that God has called us for such a time as this! That's why I created the Esther 414 necklace - to encourage you in your walk with God and your calling!
Esther 4:14 for such a time as this Crew Necks!
If you'd like to support my ministry, you can also get an Esther 4:14 crewneck here!
Every purchase goes toward fulfilling our mission of raising up disciples of Christ to bring revival to the nations!
Thanks for supporting my ministry, friend!
God bless,
MARIEL VILLARREAL
About the Author
Mariel is a writer, speaker, and prophetic mentor. Her heart is to encourage this generation with right-now prophetic words that reignite hope during the waiting between a prophetic promise and its fulfillment. Through her ministry, the Embolden Co., she holds seasonal prophetic mentorships, training programs, and retreats to empower people around the world to develop their spiritual gifts and hear God for their lives—so they can bring revival to the nations. You can follow her on social media on Instagram @Mariel_Villarreal_ and Tiktok @Mariel.Villarreal and Facebook @TheEmboldenCompany to get more prophetic encouragement!
You can get her new book, Prophetic Promises: Navigating Your Adventure to God's Promises, here on the site or on Amazon!
Tags: Prophetic, prophetic words, Prophetic ministry, prophetic word of the year, prophetic gift, daily devotional, prophetic words 2023, prophetic message, Esther Devotion, Esther Prophetic Word, Esther 4:14, For Such a Time as This Devotional, Christian crew neck for women Esther 4:14 for such a time as this
