1/21/2026  

Esther: Calling, Crisis, and the Glory of God

· Esther Chapter 4 

· Key Verses: 4:13–16
This chapter marks the turning point of the book of Esther, where calling is clarified, faith is tested, and courage is born through prayer and fasting.

Isaiah 43:7 – “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory.”
Colossians 1:27 – “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
Romans 8:28 (NIV) -And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Revelation 4:11_ “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Isaiah 46:9-11 - Remember the former things, those of long ago;

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

10) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

11) From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

We are created for God’s glory, but it is Christ in us that makes that glory visible. Esther’s story reminds us that God often reveals His purpose over time, especially in moments of crisis.

Called- Strong Concordance (Strong Number G2822}

A Call Rooted in God’s Sovereignty

Throughout Scripture, the call of God is not presented as a suggestion or invitation to negotiate. It flows from God’s sovereignty—His authority as Creator and Lord over history. God calls according to His purposes, timing, and wisdom.

• Old Testament – God calls individuals and nations to accomplish redemptive purposes (e.g., Abraham, Moses, Esther, Israel as a people).
• New Testament – God calls people through Christ into salvation, holiness, and mission (e.g., the disciples, Paul, the Church).

A Call That Invites Participation, Not Permission
God’s call is authoritative—it does not require human approval. Yet it is also gracious, inviting people to participate in what God has already determined to accomplish.

The call of God:
• Is initiated by God, not human ambition Jer 29:11(plans I have for you…)
• Often disrupts comfort and personal plans(David, Daniel, Jonah)
• Requires trust before full understanding
• Advances God’s glory rather than personal recognition (although personal recognition is often a byproduct of lifting God’s name)

A Call Fulfilled Through Obedience and Faith

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture shows that while humans can resist or delay responding to God’s call, God’s ultimate plan is never threatened. Obedience determines participation, not outcome.

In Esther’s story—and in our own—the call of God is an opportunity to align our lives with His unfolding work in the world. God will accomplish His purposes, but faith allows us to be part of God’s plan.

The Call of Jeremiah (example)

Jeremiah 1:4-10

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Esther was orphaned at a young age and raised by her cousin Mordecai (Esther 2:7). Living in exile under Persian rule, she did not choose her environment, her circumstances, or the system she lived under. Yet God used those very circumstances to position her for influence.

Her beauty—inside and out—granted her favor and access to power (Esther 2:17), but that access came with limitations. Approaching the king without being summoned could result in death (Esther 4:11).

Esther’s story speaks powerfully to our present moment. We, too, live in times of uncertainty, under systems we may not control, facing challenges we did not choose. Yet God still sees all and continues to position His people strategically.

Like Esther, many of us are placed in the story without our permission. The call may feel unclear, the outcome uncertain, and the risk real. But prayer remains essential, obedience remains necessary, and God remains sovereign.

God gets the glory at the end of the story—not because the path was easy, but because His power was made evident through faithful courage.