Preparing for Revival: Know How to Engage

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Esther 4:16

“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”

(CSB)

In the previous studies on preparing for revival we have looked at the importance of prayer, the importance of knowing the enemy, and the importance of knowing the weapons God has provided.  Now, the time has come to engage. 

The Book of Esther gives us an example of how God works behind the scenes.  While the book of Esther never mentions God, we see Him at work throughout the book.  This is especially true with how Esther engaged when faced with the decision of whether to engage and save her people at great risk or take the safe way and sit back continuing to live in the comfort of her position as queen.  Esther chose to allow God to use her and her high position as queen to save His people.  Esther engaged by,

1)      Waiting on the Lord before getting involved – In the king’s search for a new queen, many young women gathered at the fortress of Susa to audition for the position of queen (Esther 2:8-9).  Among those women was the Jewish woman Esther (Hadassah) cousin of Mordecai (Esther 2:7).  In obedience to Mordecai, Esther did not reveal her ethnicity.  While our passion to share the Gospel with others makes us want to share the Gospel with everyone we encounter, when we do so without waiting on God’s timing, we come across as preachy.  In John 16:7-11 Jesus tells His Disciples it is good that He is going away for then the Holy Spirit will come and convict the world of Sin.  Before coming out with our evangelistic sword slashing back and forth we must wait on the Holy Spirit to lead us for then He can do His convicting work on the souls of those we want to see come to Christ.  Jesus also told His Disciples to wait for empowerment from the Holy Spirit before engaging in ministry (Acts 1:8).  Waiting on the Lord renews our strength to engage with God’s power and blessing, not depending on our own strength (Isaiah 40:31).

2)      When dealing with an unpredictable person, trust God – One could only approach the king if summoned.  To approach the king without his summoning them meant the death penalty unless the king extended his gold scepter granting the person permission to live (Esther 4:11).  Even though Esther was queen, the king had not summoned her for thirty days leading to unpredictability of how he might respond.  However, Esther trusted God and entered even though it might result in her execution (Esther 4:16).  While in nations like the United States we typically do not fear loss of life for our faith in God, we face possible loss of friendship or rejection.  However, in many parts of the world being Christian carries with it the possibility of death.  In sharing the Gospel with the unsaved we deal with unpredictable people who may reject us or in extreme cases turn us in exposing us to possible death.  In either case we must like Esther, trust God for the outcome.   

3)      When working through an unpleasant situation, trust the Lord – While Esther could have chosen to remain quiet living out her life in the comfort of her position as queen, she would have done so knowing it meant the total annihilation of her people, including Mordecai.  While this situation is unpleasant, Esther chose the unpleasant situation of engaging, facing potential execution.  While both situations are unpleasant, Esther chose to engage trusting God in the process.  The fear of engaging someone with the message of the Gospel is unpleasant but not engaging with the prospect someone will die without hearing the Gospel is also unpleasant.  We therefore must like Esther engage trusting God with the outcome.

4)      When standing against an unprincipled enemy, ask the Lord for courage – Moses has died and Joshua sits on the border with the Promised Land.  During his forty years serving with Moses he has seen how rebellious the people of Israel can be.  This situation has much uncertainty for the people currently occupying the land are unprincipled people.  However, God instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).  Perhaps remembering the scriptural account of Joshua about to enter the Promised Land, Esther courageously enters the throne room of the king rescuing Gods people.

While preparation for revival through prayer, knowledge of the enemy, and use of the weapons God has provided are important, we must also engage.  May we like Esther not fear engaging after preparation knowing that God has placed us in our position in life with the purpose of living and sharing the Gospel with others.  We may not have a lofty position as Esther did but God has placed us in our present position, so we can live for Christ and share the Gospel through our actions and words.  May we like Esther courageously engage in that mission.