We must not keep silent in such a time as this!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
(Esther 4:14 (NIV))

I love Mordecai’s answer to Esther. He simply reminded her that God had placed her exactly where she was. God had orchestrated it so that Esther was in her position in order to be used by God to save her people, or should I say His people.

We read this story and we fail to recognize that we are also alive for such a time as this!

Each of us who profess a faith in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior have a calling. We are placed into situations and into the lives of others so that God may be glorified, so that we can share the Gospel and lead people to salvation. Just like Esther, we are not called to sit back and do nothing when there is a threat. We are called to pray. We are called to go beyond prayer and respond to what God shows us when we pray.

What if Esther had not responded?

Mordecai told her that God would find another way, but he also reminded her that she had been placed where she was for a reason.

Where have you been placed?

Each of us has a circle of influence that includes family, friends, coworkers and many, many more. What are you doing where you have been placed for such a time as this? Are you sharing the Gospel? Are you praying for those around you? Are you showing kindness and love to all whom you see?

I am constantly seeing that more and more people believe that God’s plans are unfolding right before our very eyes. What are we doing to rescue those who are perishing and don’t even know it?

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
(Luke 10:2 (NIV))

Are you willing to go? Are you willing to not keep silent?

As believers in Jesus, we have been given an assignment. We are to go and share the gospel with a world that desperately needs Jesus.

We must not keep silent in such a time as this!

Copyright 1998 – 2023 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Where do you hide?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
(Psalms 32:7 (NIV))

Everyone encounters times in their lives when they need a safe and secure place to take refuge from the onslaught of the world. Sometimes the weight of the world just becomes too much and we need a place to escape to. If I’m not mistaken, each one of us can still remember the last time that you felt this way.

Where did you turn?

Where did you hide?

Hopefully, each of us turns to the same hiding place, the same source of comfort, that David turned to.

Have you ever stopped to think why David was called a man after God’s own heart? Perhaps it had something to do with the simple fact David didn’t only turn to God when he needed a place to hide. He turned to God in all things. David didn’t run from trouble. He had such a good relationship with God that he knew that God would be with him no matter what. Think about that from David’s perspective when he faced Goliath. David wasn’t running from Goliath. He confronted him head on with the security that God would deliver the victory.

Perhaps we should change our definition of the word hide. When we think of hiding, we think of escaping, of cowering in fear, and of avoiding trouble. Maybe we should think of hiding as a place of refuge, preparation and as a source of strength. Thankfully, we have a God who allows both, who provides both. We simply have to turn to Him in all things and not just in times of trouble.

Where do you hide?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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We have a protector!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
(Psalms 32:7 (NIV))

We have a protector, a champion in our corner, a mighty warrior on our side. He is the ultimate big brother. He will protect us and deliver us from troubles of the world.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
(Romans 8:31-35 (NIV))

Do you believe that God is for you? If you have asked Jesus into your heart, God is for you. What an awesome thought! The creator of the whole universe is on your side!

Copyright 1998 – 2015 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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Have you crawled up on “Daddy’s” lap today?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
(Psalms 32:7 (NIV))

What an awesome thing this portrays. We can run to God and sit on His lap as little children, and He will protect us. The psalmist knew God as a deliverer. We know God as Abba, Father. He is a loving Father. “Abba” loosely translates as “Daddy”. Isn’t it amazing and awesome that the Creator of the universe lets us call Him “Daddy” and He will protect us and provide for us and love us more than any earthly father could ever do.

Have you crawled up on “Daddy’s” lap today?

Copyright 1998 – 2015 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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