2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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POWER IN DIFFERENT HANDS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29
Esther 10:3
Daniel 4:37
"… those that walk in pride
he is able to abase."
POWER IN DIFFERENT HANDS
Mordecai the Jew was now second only to King Ahasuerus in power and position in the Medo-Persian empire. And he was highly regarded and well accepted among the great number of his own people, the Jews in the kingdom. As he ruled, Mordecai looked after the welfare of his people and ensured peace for them and their children. Notice how different Mordecai was from Haman when great power was put in the hands of each man. Mordecai cared for the well-being of others, seeking their best interests and even ensuring stability and safety for them. He cared for the preservation of lives. He humbly served them, and what worked towards a peaceful nation. In all these, he thought long term for their future generations too.
Haman on the other hand was self-serving. He only wanted the position of power so that man would "kowtow" to him. His pride and self was the consideration, not the nation. He would kill indiscriminately just to satisfy his ego. And he would readily kill and plunder a people without regard to what unrest it would wreak in the empire. He would lie to the king to get his evil way approved. And while the nation was in great unrest, he would happily feast and drink. Instead of spending his time and using the power to serve and bring good to the people, he spent it on politicking to forward his personal agendas. One must not underestimate the power of being the Prime Minister of the most powerful empire on the face of the earth at that time. And to have such absolute trust of the monarch and hence freedom to do as one pleases. It can be dizzying at such a height of power. Few can handle it. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Mordecai proved this saying wrong. By the grace of God, believers must never allow power and position to go to their heads. Many start off humble and genuine. But as they taste greatness and authority, they begin to change and eventually even friends can no longer recognize them. May we use our power to serve God, not self.
THOUGHT: Have I changed since I gained position and power?
PRAYER: Lord, keep me humbly grounded even if I get promoted.
Posted in Adult RPG
Esther 10:3
Daniel 4:37
"… those that walk in pride
he is able to abase."
POWER IN DIFFERENT HANDS
Mordecai the Jew was now second only to King Ahasuerus in power and position in the Medo-Persian empire. And he was highly regarded and well accepted among the great number of his own people, the Jews in the kingdom. As he ruled, Mordecai looked after the welfare of his people and ensured peace for them and their children. Notice how different Mordecai was from Haman when great power was put in the hands of each man. Mordecai cared for the well-being of others, seeking their best interests and even ensuring stability and safety for them. He cared for the preservation of lives. He humbly served them, and what worked towards a peaceful nation. In all these, he thought long term for their future generations too.
Haman on the other hand was self-serving. He only wanted the position of power so that man would "kowtow" to him. His pride and self was the consideration, not the nation. He would kill indiscriminately just to satisfy his ego. And he would readily kill and plunder a people without regard to what unrest it would wreak in the empire. He would lie to the king to get his evil way approved. And while the nation was in great unrest, he would happily feast and drink. Instead of spending his time and using the power to serve and bring good to the people, he spent it on politicking to forward his personal agendas. One must not underestimate the power of being the Prime Minister of the most powerful empire on the face of the earth at that time. And to have such absolute trust of the monarch and hence freedom to do as one pleases. It can be dizzying at such a height of power. Few can handle it. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Mordecai proved this saying wrong. By the grace of God, believers must never allow power and position to go to their heads. Many start off humble and genuine. But as they taste greatness and authority, they begin to change and eventually even friends can no longer recognize them. May we use our power to serve God, not self.
THOUGHT: Have I changed since I gained position and power?
PRAYER: Lord, keep me humbly grounded even if I get promoted.
Posted in Adult RPG