FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Esther 3:3-4
Proverbs 4:23

"… guide thine heart
in the way."

PATRIOTISM VERSUS PRIDE

The king's servants could not understand why Mordecai refused to obey King Ahasuerus' command to bow to Haman. They spoke with him about it but Mordecai ignored them. This went on day after day. Finally they decided to bring the matter to Haman. Mordecai simply said that it was because he was a Jew. So the servants wanted to know from Haman whether that was a valid reason for not bowing to him. Different views speculate different reasons why Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Some say it was because he would not break the Second Commandment. Others believe it was because it had to do with the old animosity between the Jews and the Amalekites. In either case, Mordecai citing his Jewish national origin as the reason for not bowing to Haman would be a great affront to Haman's pride.

God's Sovereign working moves in anticipation of what comes next out of this occasion. Mordecai's refusal to bow to Haman would come to the latter's notice. To Haman, this blatant disobedience to his command could mean that all who were of Jewish descent would follow Mordecai's example. Haman's newly promoted pride could not accept it. Hence, such disrespect would incense Haman to want to take action not only against the offending Mordecai, but on the entire Jewish race in Ahasuerus' kingdom! God knows what goes on in man's heart and sees his intentions. Such a wicked plan towards God's chosen people will not go unnoticed or ignored by Him. On the surface, this may seem to be all about a political struggle and animosity going on between a superior and a subordinate. But we must see these events from a spiritual perspective. Satan will always seek opportunity, using any reason or action of man, to stir hearts against God's people. You may experience this at your work place, in school, or at home too. Take heart, but also guard your heart when you take any action. You will soon notice, through this occasion, the hidden but sure Hand of God acting to overrule the actions of man for the protection of His children.

THOUGHT: God sees the intents of actions and overrules outcomes.
PRAYER: "Search me, O God, and know my heart…" (Ps 139:23).

Posted in Adult RPG