Esther 3:1-2 - After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman
son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a
seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate
knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning
him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.
Haman was given a position 2nd only to the
king. His position as Prime Minister of
Persia gave him so much respect and honor from everyone…that they were required
to bow in his presence. Everyone in Persia who even passed by him…kneeled and
gave him honor…just as they would the king. But Mordecai refused to give anyone
but Yahweh such a show of respect.
Haman was so angry he plotted to kill all the Jews. His angry speech to the king told him all
about the rules the Jews had concerning their God Jehovah….and he convinced the
king that he should decree that all who refused to obey the king’s laws only
would die. Haman’s letter of intent to kill all of the Jews in just one year if
they did not comply with this demand caused widespread panic.
Mordecai found strength and courage to take a stand for God
alone. His refusal to bow to the king
kept him from breaking the covenant he had made with God. Mordecai knew in his
heart…what Matthew and Luke both recorded in Luke 16:13 and Matthew 6:24 ….it
says… “No man is able to be a servant to two masters: for he will have hate for
the one and love for the other, or he will keep to one and have no respect for
the other. You may not be servants of God and of wealth.”
I am sure that Mordecai also had hidden the command of God
from the laws of Moses in his heart.
They were used by Jesus to send satan packing during his temptation in
the wilderness. Luke 4:8 records the
words spoken to satan… “ Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship
the Lord your God and serve him only.' "
Those same words should be hidden in our hearts today…stored
for such a time that we might need to take a stand for God. Many of Jesus’ disciples…Stephen…Andrew…Simon
the zealot…died horrific deaths taking bold stands for Christ. …just like the
young girl who boldly declared her love for God just before she was gunned down
in Columbine High School’s cafeteria.
Father…give me the courage to stand alone if need be to
proclaim that I love you alone. Let my love for you surpass the human weakness
to give in to the world’s ways…and give me courage and strength instead to do
your work….and speak your truths…even if it means death. Help me to remember in my heart the words of
Paul he wrote in Phillipians 1:20-21 - …” I eagerly expect and
hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ
and to die is gain.” Amen.
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