Risky Faith
Scripture Reading: Esther 4:1-17
“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” (v. 14b)
A while back I watched a film about Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table. It began with Lancelot earning money by traveling from town to town challenging men to sword fights. In one town he beat a man named Mark. Mark asked Lancelot to teach him how to fight.
In response, Lancelot told him skills he needed to master. After each one Mark would exclaim, “I can do that!” Finally, Lancelot said, “You have to not care whether you live or die.” Mark remained silent, unable to proclaim, “I can do that.”
From God’s perspective there is no risk involved in our obedience. God knows the beginning and the end of all things. We are not God. Therefore, from our perspective obedience often involves a perceived risk.
Sometimes, like Mordecai, we have to ask “who knows?” and we have to say “perhaps.” Walking by faith is not the same as always knowing the outcome of our obedience. Esther acted without knowing how it would all turn out. Sometimes deep faith requires courage and the willingness to “not care whether you live or die.”
Esther didn’t know everything, but she did know someone needed to act and she knew was someone.