Esther Rise Up: Haman will be Defeated!

“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

As cancel culture heats up in America, it’s becoming more and more apparent how unpopular it is to be a Christian or to stand up for the traditional American values of God, family and country. The world wants to redefine everything God has designed from gender and marriage to how we worship. Those who dare to stand up for God’s Word are being mocked, smeared and canceled by everything from friends and family to the media and businesses. It’s a shameful chapter in the history of our nation. With many leaders terrified of losing their followers, income and respect, they are caving to the pressure and leaving a leadership vacuum. The result leaves many in the church like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Of course, Jesus is our leader and Good Shepherd, but he also anoints leaders within the Body of Christ for a purpose. What will God do when no one will rise up to lead? He finds the ones that the world calls “unqualified” to raise up a standard against the enemy. The Prophet Isaiah said, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). God is looking for leaders who are willing to say yes to his call and he will qualify them by his blood. It takes tremendous courage to say yes in a time like this. You will be ridiculed and hated by the world, but you will be loved and honored by God. God is raising up many new leaders in this time because, quite frankly, many of the current “leaders” are being weighed on the scales and found wanting (Daniel 5:27). These news leaders may not necessarily look the part or have the degree or credentials, but they will carry the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the mantle of leadership. You may be surprised to see that some of these new leaders will be young women. A company of Esthers is rising!

If it’s been a while since you’ve read the book of Esther in the Bible, then I recommend you go back and read this short but powerful story of God’s mighty deliverance. God raised up a young Jewish orphan woman to become the Queen of the Persian Empire. During her time in the palace, a wicked adviser to the King (Haman) hatches a plot to completely annihilate the Jews in the whole empire, as well as hang Esther’s cousin Mordecai on a gallows. With Mordecai’s help and encouragement, Esther risks her life to save her people by petitioning the King and exposing Haman’s evil plans. God works powerfully through Esther’s act of courage to bring about an epic reversal for the Jews. Instead of their utter destruction, they gain the victory over their enemies. Haman is ironically hung on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Esther and Mordecai work together to establish the holiday of Purim to forever celebrate this great deliverance. Esther was not some brilliant scholar or military leader. She did not come from a royal background or a wealthy family. She was not old and wise. Even being the Queen did not give her legal permission to approach the King. She is what the world would call unqualified to save a nation. She was simply willing to courageously lay down her life to save her people. God moved mountains with her faith and obedience. Just as Esther was rightly positioned in the palace to step up and speak out at the right time, there are many “Esthers” today who are positioned by God into places of influence to speak out at this time.

These Esthers are aware of Haman’s plans to destroy Christians. The spirit of Haman hates both Christians and Jews. Haman hates America because it stands up for Christians and Jews around the world. Haman is a destructive, antichrist spirit and it is moving in America right now. Though this evil spirit is manifesting itself in many different ways and through many different people, it can be seen more plainly than ever through the proposed “Equality Act.” Do not be fooled. This wicked act has Haman’s fingerprints all over it. It would effectively strip believers of their ability to live by their Biblical convictions and force them to participate in blatant evil. It would target the purity of children in a way never seen before in modern America. Parents would not even be able to legally protect their children from this agenda. Churches would no longer be able to hire people who share their beliefs and values. Women and girls would no longer be able to use public facilities safely. This act seeks to end religious freedom in America as we know it. This “Equality Act” is just the tip of the iceberg though. Haman’s destructive agenda includes the COVID vaccine and “The Great Reset” as well. In other words, Haman’s plans are not just targeting America, but the entire world. Who will courageously take a stand and expose the vile Haman? Esthers, it’s time to step out and speak up! It’s time to partner with God to bring about HIS glorious plan for deliverance!

These Esthers know who they are, for they have been called by God and prepared for this very time. Be encouraged to speak out no matter how scary your circumstances are. Esther was not overcome by Haman, but instead he was brought into immediate judgment by the King. Where do you see the evil plans of the enemy? Who is corrupt? It’s time to expose Haman! Do not be afraid of retaliation. King Jesus will be your “Great Defender.” He will fight for you. Haman’s plans will turn on his head and he will be hung on his own gallows that he has prepared for the people of God. A great reversal is about to take place. As these Esthers sound the alarm and expose the darkness to light, God will bring about justice. The wicked will fall into their own traps they have set for the innocent. This will usher in a mighty deliverance for all people by the hand of God. We will see a miracle of God’s divine power to save. Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.” Even though Jesus will deliver us from these destructive plans of the enemy, there are consequences for those of us who choose not to speak up when we are called to. In Esther 4:14, Mordecai says, “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?” I will not pretend to know what kind of consequences await those who disobey God’s call to action at this time. God is a good Father. A good Father disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:5-11). Let’s choose to obey God’s leading and celebrate his victory!

Some of you may know that Purim was just last week. Jewish people, and some Christians, around the world celebrated Esther’s courage, Haman’s defeat and God’s deliverance. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in a time when it looks like there is no hope for salvation. Christians in America are standing at our Red Sea moment. Pharaoh is leading the Egyptians full speed ahead to destroy us. Just as God parted the Red Sea, saved the Hebrews (Jews) and destroyed their enemies, he is about to do the same for us! Our victory is fast approaching. The Esthers are not the only ones who are called to action at this time. The whole Body of Christ has a part to play. It’s time to pray, listen and obey! Ask Jesus what role he has for you right now. We can all trust in the Lord, praise him and declare his victory! If you have knowledge of corruption, speak out. We can all overcome the fear of man and take a stand for the truth as laid out clearly in the Bible. We can all cheer one another on, including the Esthers, when we see them rise up into positions of influence and speak out. We can all pray and believe for God’s deliverance to come quickly. Let’s really confuse the enemy and start to celebrate in faith that God is about to turn the tables and deliver us. Come on Esther, rise up! Come on church, celebrate the victory! Can you hear Jesus saying, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:10-12)? Praise God! The season of celebration is here!