It's Hard to See the Picture When You're in the Frame

As part of my desire to begin daily devotions, I signed up for a chronological Bible reading plan.  Yesterday's reading was in Zechariah, today I find myself in Esther.  This seems strange but I'll go with it for a while...

The first five chapters recount the deposing of Queen Vashti, the installation of Esther as Queen, the plot of Haman to destroy the Jews, and the beginning of Esther's strategy to thwart Haman's plans.  I could hardly stop reading (except that it's not my first rodeo so I kind of already know the ending).  But a few items stand out:

1) God's gracious provision for the adoption of Esther by her cousin, Mordecai, a godly man (2:7).
2) The humble obedience of Esther to Mordecai (2:10)
3) Mordecai's obedience to God manifesting itself in quiet resistance to those who would have him disobey God by worshiping another man (3:4).
4) Esther's concern for her own welfare over her people's (4:11).
5) Mordecai's trust that God would deliver His people even if she remained silent (4:14)
6) Mordecai's recognition that her rise to power was in the providence of God "for such a time as this"
7) Esther's evident repentance, no longer fearing for her own life but willing to lay it down for her people (4:16)
8) Esther's recognition of her own need for God to go with her, which was evident by her request for prayer and fasting

Paul Tripp has said that "sin causes us to shrink our lives down to the size of us."  When Mordecai first sends word to Esther this was her first reaction: fear for her own life.  Initially, she failed to recognize the sovereign hand of her God throughout her entire life, from being orphaned, a natural beauty, adopted and raised by Mordecai, to finding favor with the King and being made queen.  She could not see that her whole life was part of the grand design of God.  A friend of mine once said, "It's hard to see the picture when you're in the frame."  Esther couldn't see what is obvious to us...a few thousand years later as we read the condensed version...LOL!

But when Mordecai reminded her that she may have been raised up just "for such a time as this," she repented of her selfishness and requested prayer and fasting to grant her favor and give her strength.

We all face struggles.  I am in the midst of a few right now.  When I think about my own background, I can see the hand of God in it from my youth, long before I knew Him.  I tell people all the time that there is so much that was beyond my control, there is no way I can take credit for any gifts I have.  I did not choose where I would be born, who my parents would be, the color of my skin, my education or my ability to learn.  Nothing.  But in the midst of the struggles I am facing, it becomes hard to remember that I am not the only one in the struggle.  God has a plan, a grand design.  I am just so small of piece in that plan.  Yet He has placed me where I am, He determines the boundaries of my dwelling, "for such a time as this."

Don't misunderstand: I see no great, heroic efforts on my horizon that could even remotely compare with what we see in Esther.  But Paul Tripp has also said, "God is in the mundane."  The struggles I am facing affect all those around me: my wife, the men God has placed in my path to mentor, my church, etc.  It would be easy to think only of myself, to think only of the impact the struggles have on me, my family, the ministry with which God has entrusted me.  But when I think of God's grand design, who knows whether I have come to my place in this life just "for such a time as this."  What might else God be doing in the lives of everyone else concerned?  How might He be moving in their lives?  Is He using me?  Is He using you?  Count on it.

It's hard to see the picture when we're in the frame, but you and I are where we are "for such a time as this."

God, please help me today to remember that you are sovereign.  You are God.  I am not.  Please give me grace to humbly entrust myself and my affairs to You who judges all men rightly.  Amen.

PS

Regarding my exercise plan, I did not mention but I did exercise after I posted this blog yesterday.  I will again today after I close.  Please continue to pray that God will give me grace to eat right and exercise daily.