Ready for ActionÀpẹrẹ

Ready to Take Action

One of my favorite plot devices is the “reversal.” When everything turns out to be different from what you expected. M. Night Shyamalan is usually pretty good at employing this device, surprising the audience with nearly the opposite of what was expected.

In the story of Esther, Haman, and the Jews, we see a great reversal, too.

The day that was meant for destruction becomes the day of deliverance. The Jewish people, once condemned by the scheming of Haman, now stand empowered by the authority of the king—because one woman had the courage to act, and one man, Mordecai, had the integrity to lead.

Today, men often find themselves in battles—spiritual, emotional, and relational. Sometimes, those battles feel overwhelming. The odds seem stacked. The enemy appears stronger. Voices whisper, “You’re not enough,” or “This is the end.”

But Esther 9:1 reminds us that God is never out of options. He is the God of reversals—the God who turns mourning into joy, fear into courage, and weakness into strength.

Notice that the reversal didn’t happen instantly. The people fasted, prayed, waited, planned, and stood firm. Mordecai didn’t simply hope for change; he worked with integrity, wisdom, and trust. Esther didn’t just pray—she acted. God honored their obedience, and at the right time, He turned the tables.

That’s a call to men today: don’t give up when things look bleak. Stay faithful. Keep showing up. Keep choosing character when compromise feels easier. Keep praying, leading, working, and trusting. God often works behind the scenes, but when the time comes, His deliverance is unmistakable.

It’s also a challenge to believe that our current circumstances aren’t the end of the story. The enemy may plot. The world may oppose. But God’s purposes always stand. He has the power to flip the script—turning the very thing meant to destroy you into a testimony of His strength.

Maybe you’re in the middle of a long fight right now. Maybe you’re waiting for that moment when the tide turns. Take heart. You serve the same God who turned the tables for His people in Esther’s day. And He still does it today.

Don’t walk in defeat. Walk in the confidence of a man who knows Who holds the end of the story.

Your battle may be real—but so is your victory in Christ.

Prayer: God, I believe You are the God who turns things around. Help me stay faithful when the battle is long. Give me courage to act and strength to trust. Even when I can’t see the outcome, I choose to believe You are working. Amen.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust God for a reversal? Are there areas where you’ve given up hope, but need to stand in faith? What would a step of faith look like?