What Did You Gain?--July 25th
What do you do with what you know? Huh? How do you utilize the information that your have in your life? Well, ah. What information did you glean from the devotionals through Esther that you have instilled and implanted in your life? How has God’s Word in the Book of Esther impacted your faith and your faith decisions?
If much, God is very active in your life. If some, maybe there are just a few areas that you need to grow in. If a few areas of thought and action, then the Spirit is guiding you into all truth. If, however, you gained nothing nor grew any from Esther’s faith and life in the face of an evil man schemes to destroy God’s people, you sadly missed the coming persecution of Christians here in America. You also missed how God intervened at exactly the right time, in the right way through the right people to achieve his will and complete his plans.
The Bible wasn’t written just to inspire us to think God thoughts or to have warm fuzzy feelings about what God has done in the past. It was written and directed by God to give us the information that we need to make life decisions and take faith actions that will change our world, change lives and determine destinies. The relevance of God’s word is fresher than the headlines on today’s newspaper, and more up to the minute than TV newscasts. God is here and God is now at work in our lives and worlds. Can you see beyond the situations and circumstances where God is working, directing and helping his people? Look with the eyes of faith like Esther and Mordecai did, and watch how God will use you to change this world.
Changes from him,
Jim
P.S I will be in Church Camp all week with Middlers and First Chancers. I’m Dean and I’m excited.
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Wise Leadership, July 24th
What’s is government’s role and place in society? Not only does Paul address this issue in Romans 13, but a wise summation of those who hold political office is summarized in Esther 10:3. There Mordecai is described as held in high esteem “because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” That is wise counsel is the work of every politician. He or she is to work for the good of his or her people and to speak up about their welfare should any trouble arise that would impact it.
Mordecai’s gives an example to all who are elevated in power and position to remember why they are there. Their task is to serve the people, not themselves. Their purpose is to see that the needs of their constituents are ministered unto. Thank God that there are politicians who do just that. Such ones are to be supported, but those who like Haman use their power and position to sponsor themselves, they need to be removed by the ballot box. Remember in America, every vote counts just as much as every other vote. It behooves us to vote wisely and intently for those who see their office as a minister of God to his people. Be a wise voter! Vote for those who are working for him too.
Working for him,
Jim
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Your Legacy, July 23rd
What will your legacy be? Just this morning on Family Focus, John Wooden (great basketball coach from UCLA) in an interview was asked about his legacy. How did he want to be remembered? He said that he wanted to be remembered as a man who helped others.
Mordecai left a great legacy. King Xerxes so recognized his greatness, that he paid tribute to him throughout his entire empire. Of course, the king took credit for elevating him, and had his many works written in his own annuals of his kingship. In particular, the Jews gave him preeminence among all Jews and held him in high esteem, something not normally done to any Jew serving a Gentile king. They recognized how tirelessly he worked “for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews” (Esther 10:3). Now that’s a legacy, the only thing that is missing is how his faith played a part in his decision making and in his own life. How will your life legacy demonstrate your faith in action and in living? God is willing to work in the shadows, or more so wanting to work openly and freely in our lives. Where will you allow God to work in your life? Make sure that he gets the credit and thus the glory for the things he has done for you, in you and through you.
Glorifying him,
Jim
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July 21st
What days do you celebrate for the reason it was set up? For instance, how many of us in Illinois celebrate Kashmir Pulaski Day? Or how many of us celebrate Juneteenth Day? What do we do with President’s Day or Martin Luther King, Jr day? But of course we celebrate Easter and Christmas for the right reasons, right?
The Jews have seven feast or festival days that they celebrate. One of them is called Purim. What is that you ask? Well, for starters it is celebrated on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the twelfth month “as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration…(they were) to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor” (Esther 9:21-22).
Mordecai had issued a decree to this effect for all Jews and all who join them. He even decreed that “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants” (9:28). Purim comes from the word, pur, which refers to the lot that Haman cast to determine the day of the Jewish annihilation that instead turned into Jewish celebration.
Have you noticed how often God turns what seems to be insurmountable terribleness into awesome celebration? With God nothing is impossible! Faith is believing that God can do only what God can do. A miracle is something that only God can do. What have you asked God to do lately that only God can do? This is why we are told to ask, seek and knock at his door. Are you asking, seeking and knocking at his door?
Believing in him,
Jim
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July 19th
When Herod the Great lay dying, he gathered all the loved and influential people around Jericho and had them assembled in the stadium. They were all to be killed at the moment of his death, lest no one mourn when he died. That seems to have been the attitude of Susa when Haman was hanged.
After Mordecai issued his decree that the Jews were to assemble and to protect themselves on the 13th day of the twelfth month, the whole city of Susa celebrated. Mordecai “in royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and purple robe of fine linen” (Esther 8:15) left the kings presence and came before the people. The Jews of Susa and all the provinces rejoiced with joy and gladness, feasting and celebrating. Interestingly, “many people of other nationalities became Jews because of fear of the Jews had seized them” (8:17).
God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform, and when he does people are impacted toward him. The tragedy is that some of them, quickly forget who God is, just like after 9-11.
As God is working in your world and life today, remember that he is doing most of his work behind the scenes and moving the moments of history toward his destinations. Our task is to get on the tracks he has laid and follow them. You are on his tracks, right?!
Following him,
Jim
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July 17th
Doesn’t it do your heart good when justice is served? Try to imagine how Mordecai must have felt when Haman was hung on the gallows made for him (Esther 7:9-10). Would he have felt vindicated, or would he have taken the view that God was the one justified? Would he have gloated and paraded his deliverance?
Did he run home to his wife and friends to tell them his good news—I’ve been elevated to Esther’s steward of her new estate? Hey, Haman is dead and I’m now in charge. I can do anything I want now. Look at this ring on my finger. It’s King Xerxes signet ring. I have the power!
Or would the responsibility humbled him even more? God’s justice isn’t about sweet or bitter revenge. It is about justice. That is why God commands that justice be just and tempered with mercy. Justice still requires punishment, and sometimes harsh punishment. When there is repentance, then there is room for mercy. Justice still deals with the crime, the sin, the transgression, and the iniquity.
When you and I stand before God on Judgment Day, will his justice be past tense, or will it be present tense? Past tense refers to Christ’s atoning death on the cross. He meets all God’s just requirements against our sin. He died in our place, and has justified us before God as our Savior. Thus, when we accept him as our Savior, Lord and Master, his death meets all God’s demands for justice against sin. And his resurrection is our proof that we are forgiven and will also live eternally.
Present tense means that when we stand before God on that day, he will right then and there, judge us justly and completely for our rejection of his Son and our sinful behaviors. His judgment will be swift, just and final. So either you address your sin now in and through Christ, or you can wait until the great Judgment Day and try to convince God that your sins are justified. Go ahead and try to make your sins okay with him. After all, he’s a loving God who won’t send anyone to hell, right?!
Ignorance, stupidity, misapplication of information, the “but I was gonna do it” will get you no where with God. He is truly and fully just in his judgments. Has he judged your sins justly in Christ, or will he judge your sins justly before his throne? This choice determine you eternity!
Choosing him,
Jim
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July 11th
“What do we do now?” Such statements usually follow big troubles. For King Xerxes the discovery of Haman’s plot against the Jews and his failure to ask what people group he wanted to destroy, has put him in a horrible situation. It almost cost him his queen, and it cost him his most trusted friend. How in the world could he undo, redo or do something to straighten out this royal mess?
Politicians are good at dodging, delegating and creating an image of fixing the problem. The very day that he hung Haman, King Xerxes gives Haman’s entire estate to Esther. Mordecai is elevated to Haman position, including the very signet ring that the king took off Haman’s hand. Esther made him steward over Haman’s, now her estate.
Wasn’t he a generous king? This should make everything right with Esther. He just made her personally wealthy. He was ready to move on. But Esther wasn’t.
She pleaded falling at his feet and weeping for her people because Haman’s plot was still in effect. Again, the king extended his golden scepter to her. Sto he arose and stood before him (Esther 8:4). Her plea was rescind the decree Haman issued? How impossible was that?
The king talking and thinking out loud, acknowledges that Haman plot has been uncovered, he has been hanged for it, and his entire estate given to Esther. There is only one other thing to do. Can’t you almost see Esther and Mordecai leaning forward, almost holding their breath to hear what he is going to do? Being a politician he says, “Now (you) write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked” (8:8). Translated that means, “I messed up royally. Now you straighten it out. Do whatever you want to do. Just remember you can’t undo what has already been decreed.”
You have been there, someone messes up royally and then they turn the whole situation over to you and you are supposed to fix it. Sure, all you have to do is solve this dilemma. Now the whole problem is your problem to solve. Problem solving is simple, right? First, you gather information from reliable sources, then from that information, you make a decision, and from that decision you take specific action. If only, it were that simple when you have to undo great evil or deep tragedies.
What would you have decreed? How would you utilize the new given power to act as the king himself? Don’t forget that absolute power corrupts absolutely? Having no power is to be controlled absolutely. So now it’s your time to act. What criterion do you utilize to make your decisions? Revenge, justice, mercy, power plays, or what? Want to know what’s in your heart? Watch how you use the power you have. God is!
Powered by him,
Jim
P.S. I will be in camp this week with Juniors. Keep the camp, faculty, staff and campers in your prayers. Thanks.
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July 10th
Fate? Is fate decided or does it just happen? Haman knew that his fate was decided when King Xerxes rose in rage and went into the palace garden. His terror knew no bounds. In desperation, he threw himself on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining. Exactly at that moment the king re-entered the room. Aghast, the king asks, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” (Esther 7:8) The very words covered Haman’s face with horrified terror.
One of the king’s eunuch’s, named Harbona, tells the king of Haman’s plan to hang Mordecai on a 75’ high gallows. The same Mordecai that spoke up to help the king. As quick as words could erupt from a heart filled with rage, the king ordered, “Hang him on it!” Haman was immediately dragged out and hanged for the whole city to see. “Then the king’s fury subsided.”
How do you feel when your closest friend and advisor has plotted to ruin your life? I find it interesting the twists and turns of Haman’s life. It was a soap opera, adventure film all rolled into one. We would all like to believe that evil people will come to evil ends, and they will. It just may not be in this lifetime. For some, only God’s Day of Judgment will give them their just deserves. And they will have all eternity in hell to contemplate their life choices. God’s allowance does not mean that he condones actions or evil. He has a day in which he will judge and judge justly all of us. Are you ready for his judgment?
Judged by him,
Jim
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July 9th
How low and how high can our emotions go? Haman is a clear example of a man riding a tidal wave and then being crushed by that same wave. His low from escorting Mordecai to his being whisked into the place of honor with the king and queen were almost more than any man could handle. But now, here he is eating and drinking wine with the king and queen. Maybe this whole thing is going to work out after all. However, the king’s honoring Mordecai was going to be a big obstacle in killing him soon. Maybe now he will have to wait until the twelfth month to do it. Could he really wait that long, he would be out of his mind by that time?
Sometimes you just seize the moment, other times you just bask in the moment, and often you just get caught up in the moment. Now it was Queen Esther’s time. After the banquet, King Xerxes again asks her, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” (Esther 7:2). Don’t forget, King Xerxes was a man of his word, for his word was law.
If you were Queen Esther, how would you have responded to the king? Would you have taken half of his kingdom? Would you have schmoosed him and then tricked him? Would you have taken a direct frontal accusatory attack against Haman? Observe Queen Esther wisdom and poise. “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition.” Can’t you just see the shock on King Xerxes face? What do you mean, “grant you your life”? She goes on, “For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king” (7:3-4). She did not see herself as equal with the king. She knew she could be deposed like Vasthi. She knew her place. She hadn’t come thinking only of herself. She would have kept quiet, if she and her people were going to be enslaved or exiled somewhere. But to destroy, slaughter and annihilate here people, was cause for her to speak to the king on their behalf.
King Xerxes response was king like and swift to right this terrible wrong. Who would dare to kill his Queen and her people. “Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?” (7:5).
Her answer was direct and accurate, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman.” Can’t you just see her pointing her finger right at him? If stunned shock would have ever overtaken two men in completely different ways, King Xerxes and Haman were those two men. Now the king realizes that Haman has duped him with flattery and misused his power. He had trusted this man more than any other man in his entire kingdom.
Now Haman realizes that the plot he set in motion, has turned totally upon him. He didn’t know or even consider that Esther was a Jew. He never made the connection between Mordecai and Esther. Now it is too late! He is done! There is no other option, no other way, no other course to take to reverse or change what he had done. Let us not forget that we will reap what we sow! Be careful of your plans, plots and pageantry. You will get exactly what you have measured out to others. What should you learn from Haman? What have you learned from Esther? God, who knows our hearts, will deal with us appropriately and thoroughly. Set your heart toward doing right regardless of the circumstances or events we find ourselves caught up in.
Right before him,
Jim
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July 8th
Then there was Mordecai. Because he wouldn’t bow down to Haman as everyone else did, now the Jewish people are facing extinction. If only he had just faked homage. You know the pretentious kind of worship where you look at your shoes to see if they need resoled or polished. He chose Haman’s wrath over God’s. But with his choice came consequences as all choices bring consequences. It is true that words have meanings, and actions have consequences.
As Esther requested Mordecai is still in his three days of praying, not eating or drinking anything. He went back to the king’s gate where he had sat in sackcloth and ashes. He would not buckle nor surrender his faith or his way of life. Jews don’t bow to men, only to God.
It is incomprehensible to imagine his thoughts and feelings when Haman walked up to him leading one of the king’s horses, places one of the king’s crowns on his head, mounts him on the horse and then leads the horse through the streets proclaiming, “This is what the king does for those who are loyal to him.” He knew Haman was his mortal enemy. But this parade, was it a charade to lead him to the gallows. Don’t you wonder if he knew that Haman had built the gallows for him? There was no way he would trust anything Haman did or said.
When the ride was over, he went back to his task as a judge at the king’s gate. When life perplexes and confuses us, what is it that we need to do? Do what Mordecai did. Keep doing what God called you to do, and keep doing you daily assignments. We are to be found faithful to God through all of life’s seasons. Especially, when we don’t and can’t see around the bend. Realize that God has laid the track way ahead of us. He is in charge. At our uncertain and unknowing times, that is when we learn what faith and trust are. Faith isn’t always seeing or knowing what is coming or going to happen, but knows God sees and is working good into what is happening. He is directing our future. He is trustworthy and worthy of our trust.
Trusting him,
Jim
July 7th
Just when you think it can’t get any better, it crashes on you. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, you are standing on the mountaintop again. What could possibly happen next? Ask Haman? Talk about a roller-coaster ride with loop-de-loops. He is on one big one!
His elevation to second in command to King Xerxes and subsequent order for everyone to bow to him—what a high. All is well, EXCEPT for that man Mordecai who refuses to bow to him. He plots and King Xerxes agrees and even gives him his signet ring to eradicate completely the people who don’t have the king’s interest first in their lives. He issues the decree and the king and he celebrate it.
Then Esther invites him to a special banquet just for the king and he. Talk about a high, EXCEPT that Mordecai still won’t bow to him—the roller-coaster dropped straight down to ground zero. To recoup his pride, his wife and friends tell him to build a 75’ high gallows and hang Mordecai the very next day. It was done!
Now he is riding back up to the top. Early the next morning, he is standing outside the king’s throne room anticipating telling the king of his plan. He is immediately invited into the king’s presence, only to have a major down thrust rush over him. The king asks him what should be done for a truly loyal and devoted subject. Assuming it was himself the king was wanting to honor, his inflated ego suggests that this person be led through the streets on one of the king’s own horses. In addition, that a herald proclaim all through the streets how loyal this person is. The roller-coaster has reached it pinnacle, EXCEPT that the king orders him to lead the horse and make the announcement as the loyal subject is one Mordecai. The king orders Haman to lead the horse and make the announcement! Another fast trip to ground zero! Slinking his way home, now his wife and advisors can only warn him of his soon coming downfall. Will there ever be another mountaintop?
Immediately, couriers from the king enter his house and whisk him away for a second banquet with the king and queen (Esther 6:14). Ahhh, the heights are in sight again!
When life becomes a roller-coaster, how do you get off the ride? Probably, not until it stops at its destination! Sometimes you just got to hang on and pray that you can ride this thing out, without being tossed overboard during the ride. How right was Shakespeare when he said, “The best laid plans of mice and men…they all go awry”? Would it be wise to realize that we need more insight into our future’s than just our hopes and dreams with our selfish plans? On what do we affix our hopes and plans? Anything or anyone other than God will bring you to ground zero. If God is in your life, he will ride the roller-coaster right next to you. Hang on to him!
Riding with him,
Jim
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July 4th--Happy 234th Birthday America!
If you had been honored as Mordecai was in the procession through the streets of Susa, where would you have gone first? Wouldn’t most of us have gone home and taken the rest of the day off? Not Mordecai! As soon as the procession ended, he went right back to his job as judge at the king’s gate (Esther 6:12).
It was Haman who rushed home. His head was covered with grief. Telling his wife and friends what had happened to him. Don’t you wonder if he talked about how he had unknowingly set himself up for this by thinking that the king thought of no one but him? Selfish pride has a way of blinding us to others achievements, and to falsely elevate us about all others. That is why is seems such an affront when someone else gets honored.
The tide turned on Haman. His wife and advisors warned him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” (6:13). Do you think it interesting that the advise they gave him now, was certainly opposite to what they had given him before?
I am also intrigued as to their logic that said that since Mordecai was of Jewish origin, he could not stand against him. Was this a belief wrapped up in the justice in a good man’s character? Was this a belief that the God of the Jews would vindicate him? Was this a revelation from God, or the wise logic of man? As I see the hand of God working behind the scenes, I see God revealing to his advisors that messing with God is not a good idea, ever! The old commercial about it not being nice to mess with mother nature, holds no candle to messing with God and his people.
Haman, you’re cooked. You’re through. You’re history. You’re toast. You crossed the line, and now God is dealing with you.
What will God do with those who are the enemies of himself and his people? There are two biblical answers: one is God’s day of wrath where he has acted in just judgment against men and nations. The other answer is God’s Judgment Day. He hears the cries of his people and answers them in his time of justice. We can bank on this! God is faithful to his people. So let us be faithful to him.
Faithful to him,
Jim
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God's Twists and Turns, Saturday, July 3rd
What did you say? Who did you say? What am I supposed to do? You mean that I’m supposed to do for someone else what I thought you were going to do for me. That was humiliating enough, but the horror of horrors, it is an avowed enemy. Haman, go right now and get Mordecai, he is at the king’s gate. You are to lead the horse that he is riding on through the streets of the Citadel of Susa. He will be wearing the robe and riding the king’s horse that you suggested that the one I honor wear and ride. And on top of that the king said that Haman was to walk the horse and announce loudly that “this is what done for the man the king delights to honor” (Esther 6:9). He had to do this himself, he couldn’t pass it on to some other person. Talk about eating crow and swallowing it whole, Haman couldn’t have been any more devastated.
He had come to the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai that very day, and now he is the king’s appointed herald to honor him. Interesting he keeps his “buts” to himself. He knows the king too well. No one, including Haman, dared resist or contradict the king’s orders. You did what he said!
When have you been required to do that one task that irks you to no end, grinds at your spirit, and sets your teeth on edge? You had to do it because you were told to do it. The façade on the outside doing it, had no comparison with the disdain on the inside for being forced to do it. How hard is it to honor someone whom we consider an enemy, or someone taking credit for our accomplishments? Can you really rejoice with someone else’s success, promotion (that you wanted and thought you deserved), or recognition? Now there’s a test for our humility. Just remember that God does not forget the work of his people. God is definitely behind this whole scene working out his plans and saving his people. What an awesome God he is!
Awed by him,
Jim
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July 2nd
The pride that elevates us to think of ourselves better or bigger than we are is a real trap and tosses us over some high cliffs. Not only did King Xerxes have a sleepless night, but also Haman. The king’s night was directed by God to have read to him what Mordecai had done in exposing the assassination plot against him. That was followed by a realization that he had done nothing to reward and honor him. His primary morning mission was to find a way to honor and reward Mordecai.
On the other hand, Haman is rushing to the king’s presence for permission and information that he was going to hang Mordecai, that Jew, that very day on his specially built 75’ high gallows. However, his plans all go awry—way awry.
At the king’s bidding, he enters his throne room. Wisely, he had learned to let the king speak first, before you make any request. This is where his egotistical pride trumped him. King Xerxes wants to know “What should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” (Esther 6:6). Haman’s only thought now is, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” (6:6) Inflated by his own ego, he thinks of what he desires more than anything else—the praise, glory, and honor that a parade in his honor would give him. Seeing all those people bow down to him was the coup de grace of all honors. For him to show everyone that he was second in command to King Xerxes, and worthy of the title, was what he lived for.
How would he want it done? Let’s see, put a royal robe the king himself has worn put on him, and set him on a horse the king himself has ridden. And make sure that the royal crest is placed on its head. Then have one of the kings most trusted nobles lead the man in the robe on the horse through the streets, loudly proclaiming, “This is what is done for the man the king delight to honor” (6:9)
You’ve seen baseball batters do it, their knees buckle as the curve ball slides across the plate. Can’t you just see Haman’s knees buckle, his eyes blink in disbelief, his heart stops in complete shock at what the king tells HIM to do. Wait a minute, King! This is supposed to be done to me, not by me. You want me to do WHAT!?
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). God hates pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech (Proverbs 8:13). “A man of pride brings himself low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor” (Proverbs 29:23). Pride opens double-doors to our sinful folly, our exaggerated importance, and our stupid is as stupid does ideas and plans.
Since we know that pride leads us to self-destruction, surely we don’t have any problems with our pride, right?! We are humble and proud of it, right? Mordecai never once put himself in the spotlight, not sought honor and reward. He seeks no such honor or reward. He is just being a loyal citizen. There was no seeking of honor or reward in him. Is there in you? If so, watch out! Don’t let pride entrap or bring you to destruction.
Humble before him,
Jim
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June 30th
Ever consider a restless night the hand of God working on you for what is ahead of you? King Xerxes had such a sleepless night, but had no idea it was the hand of God.
What do you do when you can’t sleep? Do any of you journal your life? Kings were known for writing annuals of their vast deeds and accomplishments. Have you ever wondered what they did with those chronicles? King Xerxes decided to have one of the books read to him. It just so happened that the very book that was chosen was how Mordecai had exposed the two guards plot to kill the king. As it was read, King Xerxes noted that there wasn’t anything in the record that indicated what was done to reward such a loyal subject. “What honor and recognition” did he get for this? (Esther 6:3). Nothing was recorded, because nothing was done.
With all the vast array of issues and contentious people, the one thing that a king needed to do was honor and reward loyalty, especially like Mordecai had done. What would be appropriate honor and recognition?
How do you honor and recognize those who are loyal and faithful to you? It is a whole lot easier to do nothing or say nothing, or very little. When we have been so honored and recognized, doesn’t it make us want to do more? So why don’t we honor and recognize those who serve us more often and with honor and recognition? That certainly would include what God has and is doing for us. We do that in worship. Do you come to worship him with praise for who he is and thanks for what he has done? It isn’t that God needs it, but that we need to give it. How will you honor and recognize him to those round you today?
Honoring and recognizing him,
Jim
