It is against the Law– Esther 4:16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

The scripture above is about Esther having to do an extraordinary thing in the face of the planned destruction of the Jewish race. She herself stood to be a potential victim. Esther 3:9-11

Esther’s stance gives you a glimpse of what it sometimes means to stand for God. For a Gatekeeper who wants to see God’s purposes fulfilled in their nation, it may be required of you to take such a stand. Are you sometimes challenged by what the Lord might require of you or are in you in the valley of decision regarding God’s call for your life?

While I do not have all the answers to this important scenario, what I do know is that at some point in the life of a Gatekeeper you will have to make extraordinary decisions that would defy logic or sometimes stand contrary to what you see around you. It may be termed rebellious or even perceived as “crazy” by some, but as long as you are moved by the Spirit of the Lord you can be rest assured that you have God on your side.

This brings me also to the story of Paul who received a prophetic word through the prophet, Agabus-

Acts 21:10-11 “While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” The word of the prophet was accurate, v27-36 but what did Paul do?

This was Paul’s response:

Acts 21:12-14 “When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

This scripture highlights the necessity of taking bold decisions despite the seeming dangers that might lie ahead of us. Sometimes Gatekeepers might have to respond this way.

If we are in God’s perfect will, HE makes all things (good or bad) work together for our good. Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

As Gatekeepers, would you like Esther, take a stance for the Lord in the face of personal danger if called upon or like Paul, even though the prophecy was accurate, but still take the challenge and the readiness to either be imprisoned or even die for the name of the Lord Jesus?

What is your position today and how would you respond even though it is against the Law or there is potential danger? We love to have your views.

Written by David Muyiwa Adeola