Devotional: Even If I Perish

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

-Esther 4:14

The story of Esther invites us into a courageous faith – one willing to risk status, safety, and comfort for the sake of obedience to God’s call. Hidden within the palace, Esther could have remained silent. Instead, through Mordecai’s stirring challenge and a growing recognition of divine placement, she chose a braver path: one shaped by trust in God and love for her people.

The palace—whether it’s our career, reputation, or security—can lull us into self-preservation. But as followers of Jesus, we’re not called to comfort. We’re called to faithfulness. This study challenges us to consider where God has placed us and what risks we might need to take to honor Him.

God doesn’t waste our stories. Just as He used Esther's beauty and position, God weaves all our experiences—successes and mistakes—into His redemptive plan. When we understand our placement as grace, we’re freed from fear and empowered to act. Like Esther, may we learn to say, “If I perish, I perish,” knowing that obedience is never wasted.

Reflection Questions

1. What’s one area of life where you feel you're in a “palace” of influence or comfort?

2. Where have you seen God bring beauty or purpose out of mess in your own life?

3. What’s one area where you sense God asking you to risk comfort or status for the sake of obedience?

4. Where are you tempted to remain silent when God might be calling you to speak or act?

5. How does seeing your role or success as a gift of grace shift your perspective on what you “deserve”?

6. What fears arise when you consider living openly for Jesus in your workplace or community?

7. Who in your life models this kind of courageous, grace-rooted obedience?

Action Step

Choose an action step to move forward with this week:

1. Serve Where You Work: Offer to pray with a co-worker who’s struggling, or organize a small way to bless your team—a thank-you note, a group lunch, or a small act of kindness tied to your faith.

2. Use Your Platform: Post a brief story on social media about a time God showed up for you, not to preach but to share honestly.

3. Give Generously: Identify one financial opportunity this week to give sacrificially—whether through your church, a local need, or a global cause.

4. Reflect and Write: Write out your testimony or a moment of transformation and begin praying about how and when to share it publicly.