God places people in certain positions to accomplish His will.

Today, we will read Esther and concentrate on 4:1–2, 4, 7-8, 13-14.

Esther 4:1–2, 4, 7-8, 13-14 (NASB95) — 1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly. 2 He went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 4 Then Esther’s maidens and her eunuchs came and told her, and the queen writhed in great anguish. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai that he might remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them. 7 Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go into the king to implore his favor and to plead with him for her people. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Have you ever been in a place where you knew that God put you there for a reason? God works through man’s decisions to accomplish His will. The story of Esther and Mordecai illustrates that fact.

This story never would have happened if Mordecai, Esther, and the rest of the Jews had not stayed in Persia instead of returning to Judea and Samaria as they should have. Yet God knew a plan would be hatched to destroy the Jews in Persia, and he raised Mordecai and Esther to foil the plot. Even though many people made choices that attacked God’s desires, God foresaw them and worked around them. It happened then, it happened in Jesus’ day, and it is happening now in Israel.

Mankind must choose to submit to God or not. In either case, God’s will is fulfilled. Our choices do not fool God, nor does He have to change plans to outwit satan and his minions. Satan has already lost; he doesn’t know it yet.

I remember playing a game called “Risk.” It is played by grouping armies in certain land masses and then using them to conquer the other player’s land masses. Because each player rolls dice to determine the outcomes of every battle. While there is a large amount of gameplay left to chance, there is also a skill component to protect your armies while attacking the other player(s). The successful player has a plan and knows how to execute that plan. To win, players must think ahead and know what to do when and where each enemy attacks. In a very crude way, that describes God’s foreknowledge.

We can defeat satan because we know what he wants. We know his methods and tricks. We can win if we play the game correctly. James 4:7-8 states: “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (NASB95)