Hate of others for whatever excuse breeds characteristics and behaviors not of God.  The most prevalent and obvious characteristics are ego-driven pride, arrogance, envy, greed with bullying attitudes that demand recognition as being the most important human in the room.  We have worked alongside those who have these traits as their guide for manipulating others to have their own way as they climb the ladder of success—only to find in the end that their ladder was leaning on the wrong wall.

Sometimes we have allowed these characteristics to become a part of us. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) No one is good—Only God is Good.  So, daily we must check our hearts, minds, and souls and allow God’s Holy Spirit to correct us with power.  Repent of these character flaws of using and abusing people to get what we think we want out of life and allow His Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and refresh and feed our souls with Truth.  God knows what we need most—more of Him!  It is God who changes the hearts of those seek Him with hearts fully committed to Him.

In our next passage, God is on the move to change the heart of the King as God guides him to the truth.  Meanwhile, Haman plots the demise of Mordecai with gleeful hatred. Between the words on the page, we readily see the sovereign hand of God invisibly at work in the life of King Ahasuerus. God is working out His purposes, whether the king knew it or not. Some or all of these worries may have played a part in the king’s wakefulness, but behind them was the sovereign hand of the living and active God who watches over His people and never slumbers or sleeps (Psalm 121:3-4). God wanted the king to stay awake because He had something to tell him.

Does God still do this?  Can God direct us even in such minor matters of our own creations? Yes, He certainly can.  Our God can do anything!  God moves heaven and earth in ways that astound us often.  We need to wake up, recognize and glorify God for who He is and what He does!  God is sovereign!

Sometimes we cry out; “Lord, how long must we put up with this evil!” We must accept the truth that God’s delays are not God’s denials. I know we all can get super impatient and wonder why the wicked are prospering while the righteous are suffering, but God is never in a hurry. He is longsuffering toward the wicked because He wants them to repent, and He is patient with His people because He wants them to receive the right reward at the right time for the right purpose.  It is not God’s desire that anyone perish.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Trust God—He knows what He is doing!

Watch and learn…

Esther 6

Mordecai Honored

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. ² It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

³ “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

⁴ The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

⁵ His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

⁶ When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” ⁷ So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, ⁸ have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. ⁹ Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

¹⁰ “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

¹¹ So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

¹² Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, ¹³ and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” ¹⁴ While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

While Esther is setting the scene for the next and final banquet for the King and Haman to attend; God is waking the King with the Truth about Mordecai.  Coincidence?  With God there are no coincidences!   Our God is sovereign (He reigns over all) and knows exactly when, where, what, and how to act on our behalf.  God is setting up Haman the Horrible (my name for him) for a greater fall than Humpty-Dumpty!  Let’s just say it’s going to hurt on his way down from pride, arrogance, and bullying for self-importance. 

Haman, who happened to be lurking in the court area, (God’s plan) was invited by the King into the king’s bedchamber. This new honor only increased Haman’s egotistical pride and false confidence!  “Look how important I am to the King”, he thought, as the king asked for his advice!.  Haman believed fate was on his side as he planned Mordecai’s doom.  And now He has the King’s approval—sealed with the king’s affirmation! Haman’s ego was inflated even more.  People seeking power stay close to those with powerful influence and human authority.  Haman’s ladder of success is leaning against the wrong wall.

Ah, but our all-knowing and all-powerful God is in control.  He has not given up His authority over this situation!

While the King is thinking of Mordecai; Haman is thinking of himself.  So, when the king asked how to honor a good person; Haman asked for the very best: The man to be honored should be dressed in the king’s own apparel; he should ride on the king’s horse with the royal emblem on its head; and one of the noble princes should lead the horse through the city and command the people to honor him. Sounds like a coronation, right?!

Note that King Xerxes called Mordecai “the Jew.” Did the king completely forget that he had permitted Haman to issue an edict to destroy the Jews? How Good and Right God Is!  One day the king is an enemy of the Jews, and a few weeks later he honors one of the leading Jewish citizens. But the king had a debt to pay; Mordecai had saved his life.

How did this pageantry and prominence affect Mordecai? When it was over, he simply returned to his place at the gate and continued to serve the king. Applause doesn’t change truly humble people; their values are far deeper. God can entrust His blessings to the humble, because they seek to honor only the Lord.  At this point in God’s story; Haman’s wife and counselors made an interesting statement: “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.” God was warning Haman, but the proud leader would not heed the warning. Had he sincerely repented and asked for mercy, he might have saved his own life and the lives of his ten sons (9:12)!  Ah, but we get ahead of the story.

Therefore, how we respond is a matter of life and death for us and for all those around us.  Look to God! Repent in Jesus Name of the hidden things of the heart that does not belong there.  Ask for His will with His wisdom to do His will, His way, in His time by His power working with in us.  God never fails!  Trust Him!

Yes, there is much more to come…stay tuned!

Lord,

Pride does indeed go before a fall every single time.  Pride has no place in your Kingdom being and doing.  May YOUR will be done in all the details of our lives even this day as always.  To you be all glory, honor, and praise!  Anything less is idolatry. 

Awaken us to Truth as we pray, sleep, work, and relate to others.  I’m yours and I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen