What is your Concern?

Meditation from Esther Chapter 4

The response of Mordecai and Esther to the news of King's command to kill the Jews, is focused in this chapter. We can learn several truths on how we, as a Christian should respond to news, especially that which is of crisis.

1. Concern: As soon as Mordecai leant of the King's decree, he tore his clothes and cried loudly and bitterly (4:1).
He cried not for his life but for the lives of all the Jews.

World Vision's founder Bob Pierce prayed, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God".

What breaks your heart? What is your Concern?

As a true Christian we cannot allow selfish & worldly desires to be our concern or to break our heart, but only that which is of God.

2. Care not for Self: When Esther learnt about Mordecai she was concerned about Mordecai and sent him clothes, but he would not accept them (4:4)

He was not concerned about his personal welfare, but for the people. More than his clothes he was concerned about people's condition.

More than his reputation he was concerned about people's protection.

3. Share: Mordecai passes in detail the decree and the coming destruction on the people to Esther, so that she can plead for the people (4:8).

A truly concerned person will act and will also make others act upon. This is what Nehemiah did when he learnt about the ruins of Jerusalem.

We are not called to Gossip; but to share the Good News for people to be saved and the bad news so that saved people may act upon it.

4. Purpose: When Esther hesitates to act fearing her life, Mordecai reminds her of her life's purpose. That God had brought her to that place and at that time for the purpose of saving the people (4:14).
He also warns her to not be lethargic.

When we realise that it is for God's purpose that God has put us in a particular place, in this time and with a circle of influence, we will neither waste opportunity nor time and will use everything for God's purposes.

5. Live or Die: When Esther understands her life's purpose & responsibility, she accepts to go to the king for the people and fears not death (4:16).

One who knows the Lord who died for him, will live for Him and for people.
"And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them."
2 Corinthians 5:15

John Knox prayed, "Lord, take my life, but give me Scotland".
Mary, the Queen of Scotland said, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe".

Do we pray for the concerns around us? Do we act upon what we hear?

Let our heart be broken (and cry in prayer) with the things that break God's heart and let our concerns be not selfish, but for people and let us live for the Lord and for people.

Have a blessed day!