Where God Works — E.A. Johnston

God Works When Human Strength Is Exhausted

When I study my Bible, I see the place where God often works, and most often it is a time when man cannot work. The situation is too hopeless, the circumstances too far gone, every human effort and resource has been expanded and exhausted, and only a miracle from heaven will suffice or deliver.

I want us to peer into the life of a remarkable woman in whom God exacted extraordinary deliverance. I want us to see her circumstances and how God moved in those circumstances for the good of his people and to bring himself glory.

The Wondrous Works of God

In the book of Joel, in chapter 2 and verse 26, we read, And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you. The Hebrew word wondrously is the word palah, and it means something great, difficult, wonderful.

It's a verb meaning to do something extraordinary or difficult. It frequently signifies the wondrous works of God, especially his deliverance. The Bible is full of instances where God performed a thing that man could not, where God works best is in the hard place in your life if you will only give it to him and trust him to work in your behalf a wondrous work that will meet your need and bring him glory.

Esther and the Helplessness of God's People

Turning your Bibles, friends, to the book of Esther, as we peer into the life of this remarkable queen, Esther is thrust into circumstances way beyond her control, and hers is a place of helplessness, for behind the scenes the enemy in the person of Haman is plotting to destroy the Jews through an official decree, and he's an influential man who has the ear of the king.

The situation is grim for the Jews. Haman's plan was to annihilate all of the Jewish people. The Persian Empire, under King Euhasius, extended from India to Ethiopia, and all the Jews lived within this area.

What could one woman do in such a helpless circumstance? In the book of Esther, in chapter 4 and verse 16, we read, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day.

Esther's Courage to Enter the King's Court

I also, and my maidens, will fast likewise, and so will I go in unto the king which is not according to the law. Let me pause here, friends, to say, etiquette in the Persian court was very strict. The punishment for entering without being summoned was immediate death, unless the king extended his golden scepter to the person to show approval, or at least acceptance of the act.

Esther knew full well she could be immediately put to death by entering the king's court uninvited. In her helplessness, she is cast entirely upon God for deliverance. Listen to her words in her resolve.

“If I Perish, I Perish”

And if I perish, I perish. Esther asked the Jews residing in the capital city to fast as she is relying on the grace of God to resolve the desperate situation. In her state of helplessness, she has the determination in her cry of, if I perish, I perish, goes all the way up to the throne room of Almighty God as he goes to work in her behalf for the great deliverance of the Jews that God brought about through Esther.

Trusting God in Personal Trials

Perhaps you, friend, are facing an event in your own life right now that is too much for you, it's too large, too overpowering and overwhelming, and it seems like a helpless and hopeless situation where no one can help or give you any relief, only God can deliver you or comfort you.

I want to encourage you, friend, to exercise your faith and look up to the one who hears our prayers. Trust God and keep your eyes on him as you lean on him and ask him to get you through this trying season of difficulty by trusting him to work in your own life, Almighty Paul Law, as he acts wondrously on your behalf.

God's Deliverance for His People's Good and His Glory

God is still a God who delivers. Do you believe that, friend? Do you believe God is the God of Esther? For where God works is where man cannot, whether it is in the helplessness of Esther, the desperation of Hannah, or the barrenness of Sarah.

God will hear the desperate cries of his children and honor their faith, and God will work where man cannot and perform his wondrous works on behalf of his people, for their good and for his glory. God's word is true, and he is true to his word.

Confidence in God's Saving Power

He is still alive, still on a throne. He is not deaf, and his arm is not too short to save. Let us pray.