The Prophetic Word-Day 139: Some are called to perform a specific, time-sensitive mission.

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”

I Corinthians 9:16 NKJV

Esther was literally sitting pretty as queen over the Persian Empire when her relative, Mordecai, having learned of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, sought for her to appeal the Jew’s cause to the king.

At first, Esther resisted, saying that she could not approach the king unless called by him. Mordecai sent her this reply:

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?””

Esther 4:14 NKJV

Esther, convinced by Mordecai’s argument that she was actually chosen as queen to do this mission, accepts the call.

“Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!””

Esther 4:15-16 NKJV

Now, we know that Esther fulfilled her mission. Haman was brought to justice, the Jews were saved, and Esther and Mordecai were given great authority, all because Esther chose to act even if it would cost her everything to do so.

Prophet Isaiah gives a wonderful account of God’s call to him.

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.””

Isaiah 6:8-10 NLT

Isaiah was to be a prophet to his own people, speaking the judgment of God in the period leading up to the Babylonian Captivity, as well as revealing God’s plans to send salvation to His people. Indeed, Isaiah saw the Suffering Servant Who would prove to be Jesus Christ!

“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:3-5 NKJV

Yes, it was granted to Isaiah to see the ultimate Sacrifice, as well as His everlasting Kingdom to come.

“But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 11:4-6, 9 NKJV

Isaiah saw all these wonderful things, becoming one of the greatest among the prophets, simply because he responded to the call of God, saying, “Here am I! Send me.”

Indeed, the Bible is full of people who emerge from obscurity to do great things, simply because they accepted a specific call from God, in a specific timeframe.

Paul, after describing his call from the Lord to King Agrippa, declares that he had accepted the call of Christ, and had remained faithful to it.

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”

Acts 26:19-20 NKJV

Bear in mind, the Lord, in ordering Ananias to go pray for Paul, painted quite a solemn picture of what Paul was being called to do.

“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.””

Acts 9:15-16 NKJV

And, yes, Ananias accepted his own specific call!

“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.”

Acts 9:17-18 NKJV

Now—just imagine—all the wonderful things the apostle Paul did—as well as being accredited to Paul—are accredited to the faithful servant, Ananias, who prayed for Paul at the request of the Lord!

In our opening scripture we see Paul expressing the urgency he felt concerning his call. And, he was faithful to it unto death.

Next time we’ll discuss more about answering God’s call.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!