Embracing Providence: Courage, Grief, and Purpose in Action

Devotional

Day 1: God Moves Behind the Scenes Even When Unseen

God is always at work in our lives, orchestrating events and outcomes even when we cannot see or understand His hand. Like in the story of Esther, where God's name is never mentioned, His providence and sovereignty are evident in the way He positions people and events for His purposes. Even in moments of tragedy, confusion, or silence, trust that God is moving in ways you may not recognize, working out His plans for your good and His glory. [02:12]

Esther 4:14 (ESV)
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense uncertainty or silence from God, and how can you choose to trust that He is working behind the scenes even when you cannot see Him?

Day 2: Your Position Is God’s Providence—You Have Influence

Wherever you find yourself—at home, at work, in your community, or in your relationships—your position is not an accident but a result of God’s providence. Just as Esther was placed in the palace for a purpose, you have been placed exactly where you are for such a time as this. God has given you influence, no matter how big or small, and He calls you to use it for His purposes, trusting that He has chosen you for this moment. [23:45]

Romans 8:31 (ESV)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have overlooked your influence, and how can you intentionally use your position today to honor God and serve others?

Day 3: Grieve Honestly and Take Responsibility

There are times when tragedy and loss strike, and it is both natural and necessary to grieve deeply and honestly. Like Mordecai and the Jews who mourned publicly in sackcloth and ashes, you are given permission to grieve your losses and hurts. But grief is not the end—God also calls you to take responsibility when you see injustice or wrong, stepping in as a peacemaker and acting with compassion and courage, even if you do not have all the authority. [14:18]

Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Reflection: Is there a loss or injustice in your life or community that you have avoided grieving or addressing, and what is one step you can take today to process your grief or act for what is right?

Day 4: Live with Conviction, Not Compromise

Following Jesus means living with deep convictions, refusing to bow to the pressures and idols of the world, even when it is costly. Like Esther and Mordecai, who stood firm in their faith despite the threat of death, you are called to live courageously, knowing that death does not have the final word for those in Christ. It is better to die with conviction than to live with compromise, trusting that God’s way is the best way, even if it is not the easiest. [30:07]

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Reflection: What is one conviction you need to stand for today, even if it means going against the flow or risking discomfort?

Day 5: Jesus Is the Better and Truer Esther

Every story in Scripture ultimately points to Jesus, who left the palace of heaven, exchanged His crown for a crown of thorns, and gave His life for the salvation of the world. Unlike Esther, who said, “If I perish, I perish,” Jesus declared, “I will perish,” and willingly laid down His life for you. He is the ultimate deliverer, and following Him is the greatest decision you can make—He calls you to something great, to join in His redemptive work in the world. [34:29]

John 10:17-18 (ESV)
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus willingly gave His life for you inspire you to say “yes” to whatever He is calling you to do today?

Sermon Summary

Death does not have the final word for those who belong to Jesus. The power of death is broken, and what we experience is only its shadow, not its substance. As we look at Esther 3 and 4, we see God moving behind the scenes, orchestrating events even when His name isn’t mentioned. The story of Haman and Mordecai is not just a personal feud, but the outworking of centuries-old conflict, showing how the consequences of sin and disobedience can echo through generations. Yet, even in the midst of national tragedy and personal crisis, God’s providence is at work, placing people in positions of influence for His purposes.

Esther’s story reminds us that one person, one choice, can have a profound impact. She lived through unimaginable hardship—an orphan in exile, now facing the potential annihilation of her people. Yet, when faced with tragedy, she and her people grieved deeply and publicly, modeling for us the importance of honest lament. Grief is not something to be hidden or rushed; it is a necessary part of the journey, and God meets us in it.

But grief is not the end. Esther is called to act, even though she lacks authority and faces real danger. Mordecai’s words to her—“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”—are a call to recognize God’s providence in our own positions and circumstances. We are not where we are by accident. Our influence, however small it may seem, is a gift from God to be used for His purposes.

Taking a step of faith does not guarantee safety or comfort. Following Jesus is the best way to live, but it is not the easiest. Like Esther, we are called to act with conviction, even if it costs us. Our silence will not stop God’s plans, but we are invited to invest our lives in what He is doing. Ultimately, Jesus is the true and better Esther—He left His palace, gave up His crown, and perished for the sake of the world. Every act of courage and faith points to Him, and we are called to respond to His invitation to something great, whatever that may look like in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Providence in Our Position Wherever you find yourself—at home, at work, in your community—it is not by accident. God’s providence has placed you there for a purpose, even if you cannot see the full picture. Your influence, no matter how ordinary it seems, is a sacred trust to be stewarded for God’s glory. Recognize and embrace the significance of your current season as part of God’s unfolding story. [23:45]
2. Conviction Over Compromise There are moments when following Jesus will require you to stand firm against the pressures of culture, even at personal cost. Conviction is not about stubbornness, but about aligning your life with God’s truth, refusing to bow to lesser things. It is better to live—and die—with conviction than to survive by compromise, for only conviction rooted in Christ brings true freedom and peace. [30:07]
3. The Necessity and Permission to Grieve Grief is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith; it is a deeply biblical response to loss and injustice. The people of God have always lamented publicly and honestly, and we are invited to do the same. Allow yourself the space and time to grieve, trusting that God meets you in your sorrow and brings healing through it. [14:18]
4. Responsibility Without Authority: Leading Up Often, we see wrongs or injustices but lack the authority to change them directly. In those moments, God calls us to “lead up”—to influence those above us with wisdom, grace, and courage. Whether you are a student, employee, or family member, your voice and actions can shape the environment around you, even when you are not in charge. [16:09]
5. Investing Your Life in God’s Purposes You have a choice: to spend your life on yourself or to invest it in what God is doing. God’s plans will not be thwarted by our silence or reluctance, but He graciously invites us to participate in His redemptive work. Choose to invest your time, talents, and resources in ways that echo into eternity, knowing that every act of faithfulness matters.

** [25:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Death’s Shadow, Not Its Power
[02:12] - God Moves Behind the Scenes
[03:36] - The Ancient Feud: Haman and Mordecai
[05:32] - Mordecai’s Conviction and Cultural Pressure
[06:43] - The Roots and Reach of Hatred
[08:40] - Esther’s National Tragedy
[11:25] - Responding to Tragedy: Grief and Lament
[14:18] - Permission to Grieve
[16:09] - Responsibility and Leading Up
[17:35] - Esther’s Risk and Mordecai’s Challenge
[21:28] - For Such a Time as This
[23:45] - God’s Providence in Your Position
[24:16] - No Guarantee of Protection
[25:41] - Invest Your Life, Don’t Just Spend It
[28:41] - Dying with Conviction, Not Compromise
[30:07] - Living for What Matters
[31:30] - Called to Something Great
[34:29] - Jesus: The True and Better Esther
[35:44] - Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Esther 3–4 (ESV) — (Read these chapters together as a group. If time is short, focus on Esther 4:1–17.)

Additional Passages: —
- Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

- Matthew 10:28 (ESV)
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Observation Questions

What was the decree that Haman convinced King Xerxes to send out, and how did it affect the Jewish people?
How did Mordecai and the Jewish people respond to the news of the decree? What actions did they take to express their grief?
What risk did Esther face if she went to the king, and what was the law regarding approaching the king uninvited?
What famous words did Mordecai say to Esther, and what did he believe about God’s deliverance?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, and what does this teach us about how God works in our lives?
Mordecai tells Esther that if she remains silent, deliverance will come from somewhere else. What does this reveal about his faith in God’s promises? How does this challenge our view of God’s sovereignty and our responsibility?
Esther and her people grieved publicly and deeply. Why is honest lament important in the life of faith, and what might happen if we skip or hide our grief?
Esther had influence but not authority. What does her story teach us about “leading up” and using our influence even when we’re not in charge?

Application Questions

Where has God placed you right now—at home, at work, in your community—that might be more significant than you realize? How can you start to see your current position as part of God’s providence?
Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to compromise your convictions? What would it look like to stand firm, even if it costs you something?
Have you experienced a loss or injustice that you haven’t fully grieved? What would it look like to give yourself permission to lament honestly before God and others?
Think of a situation where you see something wrong but don’t have the authority to change it. How could you “lead up” with wisdom, grace, and courage like Esther did?
Mordecai told Esther, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Is there a step of faith or act of courage God might be calling you to take right now? What is holding you back?
The sermon said, “You can spend your life or you can invest your life.” What is one practical way you can invest your time, talents, or resources in God’s purposes this week?
Jesus is described as the “true and better Esther” who gave up everything for us. How does remembering what Jesus has done for you give you courage to take risks for God’s kingdom?

Sermon Clips

You are exactly where God wants you. The providence of God and the sovereignty of God has you exactly where you are. For this day, September 20, 2025, in your home, in your community, in your job, for such a time as this, there are no accidents in the economy of God. Nobody in this room can say, well, I don't have influence. No, you have influence. [00:21:56] (23 seconds) #ExileNotHome

If God is for you, my friends, there is no one against you. If God is for you, every demon on the planet and the gates of hell cannot stand against you if God is for you. Yes, you may be scared, you may be nervous, your hands may be sweating, your heart's beating, and you're red in the face. But if you are moving as God is calling you, then you will not lose. You will never lose when you take a step of faith. [00:22:24] (32 seconds) #TrustGodWithResults

Your silence will not prevent your deliverance. It's what Mordecai says to Esther. Your silence will not prevent the providence of God from moving forward. Now here's the option that we have. Here's the choice we have today, friends. We get to choose to be a part of what he's doing. If he doesn't use you, he will use somebody else. Your choice. You want to be used by God to impact eternity or not. [00:25:43] (27 seconds) #DieWithConviction

Esther, it's better to die with conviction than to live with a compromise. And I would say that wherever you find yourself in the world, live. There's some things.worth dying for. There's some things worth living for and dying for. If I ask you, what are your convictions in your life? What are the non -negotiables in your life that you're not willing to bow down to this world? Because it's, listen, it's getting more, it's more and more rampant. Evil's ramping up. It's coming for us. We no longer put your head in the stand if you're just quiet and you're just neutral. No, it's not true. It's happening. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. God gives us the best way to live life, to live with conviction. Following Jesus is the best way, not the easiest. I'm not telling anybody in the room that's the easiest way to live life. It's the best way to live life. [00:30:03] (58 seconds) #SpiritualOpennessNow

Don't settle for average. Don't, don't settle for everyone else. It might be sign up to serve somewhere. It might be bring a meal to somebody, do something great. And we trust God with the definition of what, of what great is. [00:32:47] (18 seconds) #JesusTheTrueEsther

If you haven't given your life to Jesus, that's the greatest decision that you'll ever be faced with. It's the greatest decision that you could ever say yes to. Because here's what Jesus did. I'm going to close with this. Jesus is the better and the truer Esther. It is never about the character of the Bible. It is always about Jesus. Jesus is the one who leaves his palace of heaven. He exchanges his crown in heaven for a crown of thorns. He leaves earth, not just for one ethnic group, but for the whole world. The whole world is under the condemnation. And he says, let me. He doesn't say if I perish, I will perish. He says, I will. I will perish. I will give my life. And he did for you and for me. Jesus, every page, every word, every chapter of the Bible whispers the name of Jesus. It's always about Jesus. [00:34:29] (56 seconds)

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