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A Little Haman
The most arrogant people are often those who must measure their self-worth by the power or influence they think they have over others. Haman was an extremely arrogant leader. He was already filled with racial hatred for all the Jewish people because of the long-standing animosity between the Jews and his own ancestors, the Amalekites. At the end of the banquet with the King, Esther requested that both the king and Haman come again the following day to another banquet at which time she would answer the kings question. Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. Feeling privileged and chosen. But when he saw Mordecai at the…
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Just Ask Her
I was on the phone working with a travel vendor on a reservation. The representative that I was speaking with has become my go-to person anytime I need extra assistance. She is always such a joy to work with and her smile can be heard through the phone. As she was assisting me with an issue I kept hearing, “Just ask her,” in my head. I had just received the Royal Records books and had prayed about who to send them too. The just ask her question was, “What do you believe?” When I finally asked her the question I received such a beautiful story of her life. The values…
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A Strange Request
Try to imagine how Esther’s heart must have been racing as she entered the throne room and was welcomed by the king. After she received his approval he asked her what it was that she wanted to request. Her response was, “If it pleases the king, let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” Then the king and Haman went to the banquet she had prepared. What a strange request. She along with the other Jews in Susa, had been fasting for her meeting with the king and now at that meeting her request was an invitation to a banquet for the…
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Courage
Years ago I sat in my car watching my oldest son walk into the dorms of his college campus on his first day of school. I felt such pride and thought about how brave he was to walk into the unknow with his head held high. Several years before that I watched as my youngest son walked into the radiation room of a large hospital and prepared to receive a treatment while being bolted to a table to insure that he didn’t move. Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. Esther had courage as she boldly…
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If I Perish, I Perish
We treasure security, even though we know that security in this life carries no guarantees – possessions can be destroyed, beauty fades, relationships can be broken, and death is inevitable. Only when our security rests on God and his unchanging nature can we face the challenges that life is sure to bring our way. After Esther received the message from Mordecai she reply, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against…
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For Such A Time As This
Haman’s anger and pride got the best of him and he devised a plot that would destroy the Jews. He then sweet talked the king into signing the decree and cast lots for the day that the deadly deed would be enforced. Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews – young and old, women and children – all on a single day. When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city wailing loudly and bitterly. When Esther was told about Mordecai’s…
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Take A Stand
As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog Mordecai was a Godly man of character who took a stand for his beliefs, literally. King Xerxes had appointed a man named Haman to a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All of the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to him. Mordecai however would not. Haman was a wicked man and an enemy of the Jews. Mordecai had already decided that he would worship God alone and never let any person, institution, or government take His rightful place as the ultimate authority in his life. Mordecai’s determination came from his faith in God.…
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Blending
Esther was blessed with a cousin named Mordecai who was a man of God that took a stand for what he believed regardless of the consequences. His example helped Esther to do the same. In both Esther and Mordecai’s lives, God blended character and circumstances to accomplish great things. God has not changed the way He works. He is using the situations we face each day to weave a pattern of godliness into our character and along the way we will discover His character in ways that we would not have know otherwise. The tests, trials and circumstances that we experience in life are meant to refine us and each…
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Face to Face
I was reminded this week about the most important Divine Encounter we will ever experience – meeting the Lord face to face. Early one morning I read a post from a friend that her precious daughter was now with Jesus and out of pain. She had courageously fought cancer and was now at peace. Later that same day I attended a special church service that was given by a gentleman who had just been given 3-5 weeks to live. One of his desires was to share one more message with the congregation. My heart was heavy and I remembered being in similar circumstances years ago. It was a time of…
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A Royal Crown
Esther must have made quite an impression on the king because the word says that he was attracted to her more than any of the other women. She had won his favor and approval so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen. Many beautiful women were available to please the king, but he chose Esther. Her beauty must have come with something more. In our culture many young girls want to be princesses just as many women want to be treated like a queen. But there is more to being a queen than just clothing, looks and demands. True royalty is demonstrated through a life…