Taking Action

Jews everywhere were distraught. Without exception, they all were to be killed. With the king’s approval, the date had been set. They reacted with “great mourning.” But there was great “confusion” as the news spread (Esther 3:15).

Desperate to find an appropriate response, Jews reacted “with fasting, weeping and wailing, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.” They must have wondered if anything could be done to change the course of events.

The Bible tells us the end of this story, and how Mordecai and Esther acted to save their people. But we can wonder what would have happened if they had done nothing? If they had assumed that change was impossible?

But Mordecai changed history because he was serious, and willing to take action. He cared deeply and was unashamed to express his emotions, tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and ashes, and wailing “loudly and bitterly.”

In the Greek text (found in the Septuagint, used throughout New Testament times) we read how Mordecai prayed, reminding God what He “had done in the past.” How He was “the Lord and King of all creation.” How “there is no one who can stand against you.” How He pleaded that God would save His people and “save us from our enemies” (Esther 4:15-28 Good News Translation, Septuagint).

These people didn’t just have feelings, analyze options, or wish something would happen. They put their faith into action.

Today, remember that believers are to demonstrate that their faith is genuine by the things we do (James 2:17-18), like Mordecai and Esther. In your life, follow their example. Put your faith into action.