Friday, June 25, 2021

FMF: Quiet

“If you keep quiet at this time, someone else will help and save the Jewish people, but you and your father’s family will all die. And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this.”
(Esther 4:14, NCV)


I sometimes forget God uses the unlikely to accomplish His will.  What a great reminder because, honestly, most of the time I wouldn't choose me for my own team.  But God sees people for their heart, and He places them in places that give them opportunity.

Esther was raised by her uncle, and she was chosen for a nationwide search for a new queen after the previous queen had been killed by her husband.  You see, the king was afraid that his wife would empower wives and create marital unrest, so he had her taken care of. Is it any wonder that that Esther's uncle, Mordecai, told her not to tell anyone in the royal palace that she was a God-follower (Esther 2:10).

Yet time passed and the believers found themselves in a precarious situation, one that would mean the end to their people. Including Mordecai.  Including Esther.  And, so, it was Mordecai again who instructed Esther to speak up.

In Eccesiastes 3 we are reminded that there is a time and a season for everything.  Sometimes we speak.  Sometimes we refrain. May God give us the wisdom to know when to do each, and like Esther, may many people be saved as a result.



* * *
This post is a prompt from Five Minute Friday
and was written in approximately five minutes.
For more information, visit fiveminutefriday.com.
* * *

7 comments:

  1. Sometimes it's best to stand and speak,
    and sometimes, keep your seat,
    but no-one's ever thought me meek,
    and I jump in with both feet
    to express my state of thought,
    be it wrong or right,
    for I believe it is our lot
    to hold back pagan night
    by being bold in what we say,
    and never backing down,
    even though betimes it may
    mark as naif or clown,
    but I will leave my heart unfurled
    for the Lord, and not the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew, your comment made me realize I also may have been channeling a piece of art in my house that says, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

      Delete
  2. Great post. True wisdom. Let us wait upon the Lord and He will reveal His perfect timing.
    Thank you for your post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is helpful to look at the word "quiet" the way you did. Sometimes being quiet is the absolutely worst thing you can do, especially if someone needs a friend to speak in their defense.

    ReplyDelete
  4. There's much wisdom in waiting for God's timing whether speaking up, or staying quiet. Your post brought to mind the Scripture that says: "Like apples of gold in settings of silver
    Is a word spoken in right circumstances." (Proverbs 25:11, NASB)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I never thought how Mordecai told her to keep quiet, then tells her to speak up. It definitely takes prayer and wisdom to know which one to use!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is such a great reminder! The culture of the world now is to speak constantly, to always be saying what's on our mind, but God's way is one of discernment, which often requires us to keep quiet when we'd rather give our two cents. I love the way you use Mordecai for this illustration--so apt!

    ReplyDelete