Be Still And Know That I am God
Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. Esther 5:9-14
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. Esther 5:9-14
How do you handle life when death seems to be looming larger and larger over you? How do you handle it when you know there is an enemy who just can't wait to see you destroyed? How do you handle it when that enemy does not even hide his disdain or animosity toward you? How does it feel to be in the shoes of Mordecai? Who is there to protect you from Haman?
Haman could not hide his seething anger toward Mordecai. He was enraged by the refusal of Mordecai to show fear in his presence. He restrained himself only because he knew it was only a matter of time before Mordecai would be put to death at his instigation.
Haman was self-consumed and power-drunk. He went home and boasted to his family and friends about his vast wealth, influence and possessions. But he candidly added that "all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate." To him, the death of Mordecai would be his most satisfying accomplishment. Accordingly, his wife and friends encouraged him to have a fifty-cubit pole erected for Mordecai to be impaled on it the very next day. The pole was erected, and Haman was pleased. But was God asleep?
The enemy relentlessly pursues the destruction of God's children. He has great hatred and animosity toward God's kingdom Builders. He is busily erecting poles to impale God's children. But the truth is: Our God makes it clear that "no weapon formed against us will prosper and we shall condemn every tongue that rises up against us in judgment." (Isaiah 54:17). So, be still and know that He is God. No matter how many poles are erected in anticipation of your impalement, be confident that our God is protecting you behind the scenes. He will have the enemy impaled on the very pole erected for you. Just be still!
Haman could not hide his seething anger toward Mordecai. He was enraged by the refusal of Mordecai to show fear in his presence. He restrained himself only because he knew it was only a matter of time before Mordecai would be put to death at his instigation.
Haman was self-consumed and power-drunk. He went home and boasted to his family and friends about his vast wealth, influence and possessions. But he candidly added that "all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate." To him, the death of Mordecai would be his most satisfying accomplishment. Accordingly, his wife and friends encouraged him to have a fifty-cubit pole erected for Mordecai to be impaled on it the very next day. The pole was erected, and Haman was pleased. But was God asleep?
The enemy relentlessly pursues the destruction of God's children. He has great hatred and animosity toward God's kingdom Builders. He is busily erecting poles to impale God's children. But the truth is: Our God makes it clear that "no weapon formed against us will prosper and we shall condemn every tongue that rises up against us in judgment." (Isaiah 54:17). So, be still and know that He is God. No matter how many poles are erected in anticipation of your impalement, be confident that our God is protecting you behind the scenes. He will have the enemy impaled on the very pole erected for you. Just be still!
Prayer: Father, I will be still and know that you are God. I will not die but live to declare your works. Amen.