There are times in life when you have to stand, risking it all to do what’s right, to do what you know you have to do. Sure, if you’re a natural-born entrepreneur, risk-taking may come easily. But for most people, it doesn’t.

In the 5^th Century BC, although she was a Jew, Esther became the queen of Persia, married to King Xerxes who’d been tricked into decreeing that all the exiled Jews be killed. Now, Esther had it within her power to go to the king, her husband, and change his mind.

Only one problem. Persian law forbade anyone, even the queen, from entering the king’s presence uninvited — the penalty was death unless the king extended his golden sceptre. Her uncle, Mordecai, sent her this message from outside the palace walls:

Esther 4:13-14 “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. If you keep quiet now, help and freedom for the Jews will come from another place. But you and your father’s family will all die. And who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.”

This was the moment of truth for Esther. How would she respond?

Esther 4:15-16 Esther sent this answer to Mordecai: “Mordecai, go and get all the Jews in Susa together, and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days and nights. I and my women servants will fast too. After we fast, I will go to the king. I know it is against the law to go to the king if he didn’t call me, but I will do it anyway. If I die, I die.”

Sometimes, faith demands that we put it all on the line. The outcome belongs to God.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.