Trusting God's Purpose: The Story of Esther

Today’s focus is on the vastness of God’s thoughts and ways, and how that truth shapes our understanding of purpose, especially when life feels confusing or out of place. Drawing from Isaiah 55, we’re reminded that God’s ways are as far above ours as the universe is wide—beyond our wildest imagination. Even when we feel lost, overlooked, or uncertain, God is orchestrating every detail, working out a plan that is far greater than we can comprehend.

The story of Esther powerfully illustrates this. Esther’s early life was marked by loss, displacement, and obscurity. She was an orphan, a foreigner in exile, and for years, she had no sense of God’s hand on her life. Yet, God was at work, positioning her for a moment of destiny. When the threat of genocide loomed over her people, Esther was uniquely placed to act. Her journey shows that feeling out of place does not mean being out of purpose. God’s process often involves seasons of waiting, confusion, and even pain, but these are not wasted—they are the very means by which He shapes us for His purposes.

God’s primary concern is not what we do, but who we become. He desires that we be holy—set apart, different, and Christlike—regardless of our occupation or circumstances. When we embrace this, our decisions become Christ-driven, and our direction becomes clear. Esther’s story also teaches that when we finally grasp that God’s purpose is on our lives, something shifts within us. We find a new gear, a new courage, and a willingness to take risks for God’s glory, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Living a purpose-driven life will always require us to surrender our need for comfort and security. Faith is not the assurance that everything will go according to our plans, but the conviction that God’s purpose will prevail. When we step out in obedience, our faith meets God’s faithfulness, and that’s where miracles happen. No matter how out of place you feel, you are not out of God’s purpose. He is working, even now, to bring about His glory in and through your life.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s thoughts and ways are immeasurably higher than ours, and this truth should humble us and breed deep trust. When we feel lost or confused, remembering the vastness of God’s wisdom helps us rest in the knowledge that He is always working, even when we cannot see or understand His plan. Our best ideas are still light-years short of His purposes. [08:00]
• 2. Feeling out of place is not evidence of being out of purpose. Like Esther, we may go through long seasons where life feels random or unfair, but God is always orchestrating details behind the scenes. The process of waiting and wondering is often the very means by which God prepares us for moments of destiny. [22:52]
• 3. God is more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are doing. His will is for us to be holy—set apart and Christlike—regardless of our job or status. When we focus on becoming the person God desires, our actions and decisions will naturally align with His purpose. [24:25]
• 4. When we finally recognize that God’s purpose is on our lives, it brings a shift in our perspective and energy. We move from hesitation to conviction, from fear to courage, and we find the strength to take bold steps of faith. God equips those He calls, and our willingness to act in faith opens the door for Him to work through us. [28:04]
• 5. Living out God’s purpose will always require us to surrender our need for comfort and control. True faith is not about guaranteeing our preferred outcome, but about trusting God with the results. When we obey, our faith intersects with God’s faithfulness, and that’s where we witness His miraculous provision and guidance. [35:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:29] - Greeting Correctional Facilities and Newcomers
• [07:17] - Series Introduction and Opening Prayer
• [08:00] - God’s Thoughts vs. Our Thoughts
• [08:52] - The Vastness of the Universe and God’s Ways
• [12:41] - Introducing Esther’s Story
• [13:52] - Esther’s Background and Hardships
• [15:42] - Esther Becomes Queen
• [16:20] - Haman’s Plot Against the Jews
• [18:09] - Mordecai’s Plea to Esther
• [19:34] - For Such a Time as This
• [22:52] - Out of Place, Not Out of Purpose
• [24:25] - God’s Focus: Who We Become
• [28:04] - The Shift When Purpose Dawns
• [35:10] - Faith, Risk, and Trusting God’s Control
• [41:07] - Obedience and the Intersection of Faith and Faithfulness
• [42:05] - Invitation to Respond to Christ

Bible Reading

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) — > “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Esther 4:13-16 (ESV) — > Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 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?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Isaiah 55:8-9, how does God describe the difference between His thoughts and our thoughts? What analogy does He use? ([08:00])
2. In Esther 4, what was the risk Esther faced if she went to the king uninvited? ([18:44])
3. What was Mordecai’s main message to Esther when he said, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ([19:34])
4. In the sermon, what are some of the hardships and feelings of being “out of place” that Esther experienced before her moment of purpose? ([13:52])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God allows us to go through seasons where His plan is not clear and we feel out of place, like Esther did? ([22:52])
2. The sermon says God is more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are doing. What does it mean to be “holy” or “set apart” in everyday life? ([24:25])
3. When Esther realized God’s purpose was on her life, something shifted inside her. What does it look like for someone today to experience that kind of shift from fear to courage? ([28:04])
4. The pastor said, “Living a purpose-driven life will always demand a temporary surrender of security.” Why is surrendering comfort and control so difficult, and what does it reveal about our faith? ([35:10])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about how God’s ways are “93 billion light years” beyond ours. When was a time you struggled to trust God’s plan because you couldn’t see what He was doing? How did you respond? ([08:00])
2. Esther’s story shows that feeling out of place doesn’t mean you’re out of purpose. Is there an area of your life right now where you feel lost, overlooked, or “out of place”? How might God be working behind the scenes in that area? ([22:52])
3. The pastor said God’s main concern is who we are becoming, not just what we do. What is one area of your character or spiritual life where you sense God wants to grow you to be more Christlike? ([24:25])
4. Esther had to take a big risk for her people, even though the outcome was uncertain. Is there a step of faith or obedience you feel God is asking you to take, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? What’s holding you back? ([35:10])
5. The sermon mentioned that when we finally recognize God’s purpose on our lives, it brings a new energy and courage. Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt a clear sense of God’s purpose? How did it change your actions or attitude? ([28:04])
6. The pastor said, “Faith is not the assurance that everything will go according to our plans, but the conviction that God’s purpose will prevail.” How can you practice trusting God with the results this week, especially in an area where you want control? ([39:09])
7. The message ended by saying that when we obey, our faith meets God’s faithfulness and that’s where miracles happen. What is one small act of obedience you can take this week to step into God’s purpose for you? ([41:07])