Come Follow Me for Teens: "Thou Art Come…For Such a Time as This" (Esther)

This week’s Come Follow Me for Teens episode focuses on the book of Esther: “For Such a Time as This.”

Esther’s story is filled with seemingly ordinary events that eventually come together in extraordinary ways. Esther lost both of her parents and was raised by Mordecai. She was later brought into the king’s palace, received unusual favor, and eventually became queen. Mordecai happened to overhear a plot against the king, and his act of loyalty was recorded but temporarily forgotten. At the time, neither Esther nor Mordecai could have understood how each of these details would eventually help save their people.

Their experience teaches teens that God sees much more than we can see. What may appear random, delayed, disappointing, or unimportant can become part of His larger purposes. God does not necessarily cause every painful experience or control every person’s choices, but He is never surprised by what happens. He knows His children perfectly and can work through relationships, interests, opportunities, setbacks, and ordinary circumstances to prepare them to bless others.

Mordecai’s question to Esther becomes the central message of the story: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

That question invites teens to consider whether God may already be preparing them for important moments in their families, friendships, schools, and communities. They may not yet understand why certain talents, experiences, challenges, or people have become part of their lives. But Heavenly Father sees the complete story and can use what they have learned to help them become a source of courage, understanding, and strength to someone else.

We also study Esther’s response when she learned that Haman had persuaded the king to authorize the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai urged Esther to approach the king and plead for her people, but entering the king’s court without being invited could result in death. Esther had not been called to see him for thirty days and had no assurance that he would extend the golden sceptre and spare her life.

Before she acted, Esther asked Mordecai to gather the Jews in Shushan and have them fast for her. She and her maidens would fast as well.

Esther’s example teaches that recognizing God may have a purpose for us does not automatically remove fear. Sometimes we still need spiritual strength to take the next faithful step. Fasting did not eliminate Esther’s danger, but it helped her place faith above fear, the spirit above the body, and God’s will above her instinct for self-preservation.

This episode explores the deeper purpose of the law of the fast and how fasting can invite revelation, strengthen self-mastery, and help us seek the Lord’s power in difficult circumstances. In a world where phones, entertainment, food, approval, and other appetites can gradually begin controlling us, fasting teaches that our physical desires do not have to become our masters.

When we fast with prayer, purpose, and real intent, we willingly place spiritual desires above temporary physical appetites. We invite Heavenly Father more fully into our fears, weaknesses, decisions, and concerns for others. Fasting does not force God to give us the outcome we want, but it can change us, strengthen us, and help us become willing to trust His answer and timing.

Finally, we study the dramatic reversal at the conclusion of Esther’s story. Haman intended to destroy the Jews, but his plan was exposed. Mordecai was elevated, Esther’s people were allowed to defend themselves, their sorrow was turned into joy, and their deliverance became known throughout the Persian Empire.

The scriptures describe that reversal by saying, “It was turned to the contrary.”