Esther’s response is Seek God, Count the Cost, Act.

• Pray and Fast – brokenness, longing for God’s Kingdom to come, tenacious in prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:14 parallel.
• Know that we may die Illustration: Wimber and call for martyrs.
• Step into the moment

God, the Lord, Israel’s land, the Temple the Exile – none are mentioned in the whole of Esther.

Haman represented the enemy’s persistent attempt to end Israel’s existence. His heritage was Amalekite. And this tribe of Canaanites was consistently at war with the Jews. That’s why Mordecai wouldn’t bow to Haman. That’s why Haman wanted to kill every Jew.

Judges 2 reminds us that, if a people of faith are not careful, the next generation will grow up “who knew neither the Lord God nor what He has done for his people.”

Mordecai grieved, not for himself, but for His people. We grieve when the people of God suffer.

vv. 5-7 Mordecai was sent clothing to change into and pause the mourning – by Esther the queen. And he refused. She then sent a trusted counselor to find out what troubled him. The Hebrew says, “what this, and why this.” That’s the drive of those who look to the needs of the world. What is going on? What is happening?

Mordecai turns it back around to Esther – this is what, this is why, and how can you make a difference!

The king didn’t allow mourning or sadness in his presence; the Father welcomes the hurting. Juxtapose the Persian monarch with the Father in heaven.

Missional status and calling.

The understanding is Perhaps your position in the Kingdom, what God has provided, is just for this time and this need; and – the wording assumes – and what will you do with it.

If Mordecai represents the heart of sensitivity to the world’s dangers, needs, future, etc., Esther represents the heart of the intercessor to stand in the gap, to plea for deliverance.

Mordecai’s position is: God will raise up one who will sustain the Jewish people, for God’s people will persist. But will this be the time you step up? God’s people will continue. The Church will stand; but will it stand and bring God’s kingdom because we stand up, pray, count the cost and act.

Has our day heard a call for the end of Christianity? Is our culture so opposed to the Kingdom of God that they would forego reason and compassion to see it end?

Love for the Kingdom, love for God’s people, love for those yet to come to the King motivates the Mordecai’s. Trust in God’s favor while counting the cost undergirds the Esther’s.

The greater the gifts, the higher the expectation. The more accessible the position, the more relevant the need to parlay this into action. Those who have wealth are blessed by God with this gift. Those who have speaking skills are given them by the Father. Etc.

Illustration: When we are given gifts and opportunities, we can often choose other than action:

1. We coast – we get by with only a little.
2. We move into the middle – so we don’t stand out.
3. Best to own the mission, make our lives count, and leverage our position and relationship for the Kingdom.