"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14, New International Version).

This was the reply that Mordecai made to Esther after she told him that she could not go before the king and risk her life. We find as we read the story of Esther that she did, in fact, go before the king and, by doing this, saved her people from annihilation.

Do we often wonder, "Why am I here?" In the face of a trial, do we ask God, "Why is this happening to me?" Many times we look back at our life's experiences or events and can see how God worked in our lives to bring about what He wanted for us. But while it is happening, it sure is difficult to see what God has in mind, isn't it?

Like Esther, we might say, "I can't do that." Or, "That's just too hard." Yet we read in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It doesn't say a few things, or the easy things, but all things. How hard it is for us to understand the deep meaning of this scripture.

Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Esther, like many others before and since, stepped out on faith. God used each of them for His ultimate purpose.

It makes you wonder about the small things that happen to us each day. Maybe God has some big things in store for us too. So the next time you find yourself in a situation you can't see out of, or a trial you can't seem to get over, or you wonder, "What is my purpose in this life"? Remember the words of Mordecai: "And who knows but that you have come... for such a time as this."