God Notions

Esther 4

…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?”

In verses 11-13, Esther gives a good reason why she should not go to the king, but Mordecai will have no part. He confronts her. In part, I think, he is telling her, “don’t think because you are sitting there in that big house all high and mighty you are protected. Get off your high horse and do what you should do.”

Being confronted by another person often, if not always, feels offensive. Sometimes, I think, at times, we need to speak even if it offends. Yes, in the best possible loving way, I guess not to set out to offend, but to speak the truth. And sometimes, the truth, even when told in love, offends. Mordecai confronted Esther’s reasons with the facts.

Mordecai’s actions convict me also. I often keep my mouth shut and hope the next person has courage. Esther, on the other hand, encourages me. When confronted, she responded with the action of change. She turned her focus to God and asked for help.

Could conviction and offense be cousins? I would not be offended if it weren’t the truth, and if it weren’t the truth, I wouldn’t be convicted.

Keeping a check on the condition of my heart is most important. What I am saying is as important as how it is being said. Am I first looking at my motive? Is the truth that my heart wants to poke, or more honestly, to hurt someone who has possibly hurt me? I suppose the best way to check the condition of my heart is to first look to the Cross and deal with the truths about myself.

I find conviction leads to change. Offense leads to defense and back to being offended.