When praying for America today and feeling heavy, the Lord reminded me of two things.

First, He reminded me of the time when I was at the roller skating ring with my brother. We were unsupervised, and a group of young boys were pushing and taunting him. He was crying and I being three years older, and about 8 years old at the time stood up to the bullies for him. In return, I was punched in the stomach and the wind was knocked out of me. I had no regrets because I was standing for justice. It was not my nature at that age to be talkative, or outgoing. I was actually shy, but when ever I was in a situation of injustice, or I just knew something was “wrong”, I almost always spoke up.

A similar memory happened with my younger sister, except this time I was several years older. We were skiing in northern Michigan with family friends, and though she was beside an avid skier she was gaining speed down the hill at a faster pace escaping our friends beside her. I stopped ahead of her and was trying to block her because she was headed straight for the trees. We were all yelling “pizza”, “pizza” (the shape you make with the skis to slow down) but she just gained more momentum. In order that my sister didn’t fatally wound herself, I stepped in and had her run into me, I was the thin barrier between she and trees at this juncture. The collision knocked me over and the wind out of me, but my sister didn’t suffer injury. I was sore for awhile but if I hadn’t intervened there could have been a detrimental outcome.

Secondly, the Lord said to me “Purim would not be Purim if Esther had not spoken up”. Purim began last night at sundown and is celebrated through today and extended into Sunday in Jerusalem. It is the most joyous of the Hebrew festivals, celebrating the liberation of the Jews from Hamon’s evil plot to rid them from the world. Esther risked her life, and spoke to her husband who was also the King to plead for the lives of her people.

Many in the Body have felt like the wind has been knocked from them. But guess what? You are still breathing! Your voice is needed in this hour. Do not stand down. Some people have been taking “hits”, and at first it may seem justice is not prevailing but keep going. You are equipped to avert plans that would harm, or bring injury to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Esther is the story of risk, Faith, and favor. Speak up, take that risk in faith and the favor of the Lord will be with you!

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.” Psalm 89:14

“Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any person, be it man or woman, who shall go into the inner court to the king without being called shall be put to death; there is but one law for him, except [him] to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live. But I have not been called to come to the king for these thirty days. And they told Mordecai what Esther said. Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther, Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?” Esther 4:10-14 AMPC