Esther 4:14 - God Is Bigger Than Any Army
Step 1: Pray. Select.
As I began my prayer time today, I found myself being pulled deeper into the fact that the Lord has chosen each and every one of us to be here on Earth at this very moment, on this very day. It is no accident. Wherever you are reading this blog from, the Lord has carefully planned for you to arrive at this place in time to hear this word.
As I searched through various scriptures focusing on God’s planning and timing leading up to this day for myself, I came across Esther 4:14, which emphasizes the importance of paying attention to where God places you and what He knows you are capable of to meet the moment He has given you. I decided to start my journey there, so I proceeded to Step 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
For if you remain completely silent at this time,
relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place,
but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether
you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here are the personalized sentence(s) that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, if you remain, at this time, you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
I close my eyes to ponder the sentence from the scripture today. I picture a woman kneeling and praying at the altar of a church. She is in her twenties or thirties. It is quiet for now; however, at any moment, the church doors may be kicked open, and she will be taken away to potentially an untimely death. Her fate is completely unknown at this moment. There is such a heavy fear stirring within her, yet she stays on her knees, begging the Lord to provide instruction before she takes another step.
With her eyes closed and her head bowed, the church walls begin to rumble like an earthquake, announcing the arrival of an army of men on horseback, hunting her coming in from the distance outside. I hear shouting and hollering since the army knows they are getting close to finding her and taking her out! As they get closer, it sounds like there are many, but how many? She has no idea. She continues to hold her ground inside the church at the altar despite the outcome that may lie ahead. I think about her bravery to stay right where she is. She must be so scared, yet she stays focused on the Lord in a vulnerable position, on her knees, praying.
The Holy Spirit wants me to take in her level of focus. She is holding tight to the truth that God is who he says he is and will protect you no matter what rises against you. He wants me to posture like this brave woman, kneeling and trusting the Lord has a plan. The Holy Spirit reminds me to take note that where I am right now in this day is precisely where the Lord needs me to be. I need to hold tight to the fact that nothing can sway the destiny He has predestined and planned for me today, even if I am hunted or fearful like the woman. The Holy Spirit says that I must choose to pray in every situation for guidance, but I can’t control my encounters. Even if an army rises against me, he is telling me to focus on the fact that the Lord is bigger and has already gone before me, whether I move to the right or the left.
The noises are louder and louder now. The woman stays exactly where she is at the altar. She has made up her mind that the only option for her potential survival is to depend on the Lord. The Lord is the only one who has the power to move the army so she can be safe. The Lord is the only one who has already seen the outcome before this scene began.
The question is, is she able to know that the Lord, who is bigger than all things, will come through? Even against an entire army?
I have a question in my mind, so I proceed to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, what do you need from us in our prayer life to make the noise dissipate and for us to remain in a peaceful, tranquil state no matter what comes our way?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
”You need to make sure you stay present with me. When you get ahead, and your thoughts have not been taken captive, and you form your own conclusion, without consulting me, you are not trusting that I will do what is best for you and give you what you need to take your next step or make your next move. You must stand your ground like the woman in your vision. Like Esther. Stay there and focus on me. Whatever the outcome, know I am doing what is best for you and your life, and know you were chosen for a time such as this. In your vision, you are not shown what her fate will be, but that is because only I know that. Only I could see your beginning and have already seen your end. I know your story, but the path can be either long and winding or straight as an arrow. You have a purpose, so trust the one who formed you and knew you before the earth saw and knew you. I will perform good work in you until the day of Christ Jesus. So take this instruction for the day and stay with me, holding every thought captive. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, for I am the Lord and there is none like me. I will keep you safe, and I can turn your largest armies against you into your greatest advocate, as you take shelter under my wing and let the Holy Spirit move through you. Hold your ground and hold your peace today. I am with you always, even before you knew me, remember I already knew you.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Thank you for this encouraging word today. No matter what comes against me, you are more powerful.
Thank you for loving me and preparing me for a time such as this. I will not fear and take every thought captive. I will cherish every moment of my life, knowing you already have a good plan for me. Let me hold on to you at all times and feel your love and protection so that I can remain at peace.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray and seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, let’s take every thought captive today and remain confident in the Lord and his protection.
Let’s help encourage one another that we are all here for a time such as this.
Don’t forget our God is greater than any army, so stay close to the Lord, and you will walk the path of the straight and narrow, which will provide peace and love every step of the way.
God bless you. See you soon!
