We Reap What We Sow Copy
That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.
The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate. Esther 8:1-2
The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate. Esther 8:1-2
Haman had risen to great heights in the administration of King Xerxes. He was the most honored official in the court. He wore the king's signet ring to underscore the importance of his power and influence. He had everything a man could desire. Let's recall an earlier account: "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 . . . above the other nobles and officials." (Esther 5:10-11). Obviously, Haman was riding on top of the world. He could only see and breathe Haman. He felt so powerful that he even plotted the destruction of a whole race of people -- the Jews; just because one Jew, Mordecai, refused to bow down to him!
It is simply amazing how short-sighted and pathetic we can be as humans. A little success can cause us to be so proud that we forget we do not really control our lives and the very next breath we take. Success can make us so proud and so arrogant that we can utter words that make God cringe on His throne in Heaven! That is exactly what Haman was doing. He had become full and boastful of himself because he had great wealth, many sons and great honor.
But there was a great reversal on the way! His wickedness, arrogance and boastfulness caught up with him and we found him begging Queen Esther to spare his life. He was pleading for mercy from the person whose family and people he had been planning to destroy! The wealth he boasted about was given to the very family he was seeking to destroy -- to Mordecai and his daughter Queen Esther!
These words from James 4:13-16 (NLT) are worth remembering at all times: "Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog -- it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil."
So are you "blessed" with all kinds of "success" and possessions? Don't be boastful. Put it all in perspective and humbly live in honor of God. Or do you feel a lack in some areas of life? Don't worry. God can reverse your fortunes in a heartbeat. He did it for faithful Mordecai. He can do the same for you as you faithfully serve him. God can reverse your fortunes in a heartbeat.
It is simply amazing how short-sighted and pathetic we can be as humans. A little success can cause us to be so proud that we forget we do not really control our lives and the very next breath we take. Success can make us so proud and so arrogant that we can utter words that make God cringe on His throne in Heaven! That is exactly what Haman was doing. He had become full and boastful of himself because he had great wealth, many sons and great honor.
But there was a great reversal on the way! His wickedness, arrogance and boastfulness caught up with him and we found him begging Queen Esther to spare his life. He was pleading for mercy from the person whose family and people he had been planning to destroy! The wealth he boasted about was given to the very family he was seeking to destroy -- to Mordecai and his daughter Queen Esther!
These words from James 4:13-16 (NLT) are worth remembering at all times: "Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog -- it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that. Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil."
So are you "blessed" with all kinds of "success" and possessions? Don't be boastful. Put it all in perspective and humbly live in honor of God. Or do you feel a lack in some areas of life? Don't worry. God can reverse your fortunes in a heartbeat. He did it for faithful Mordecai. He can do the same for you as you faithfully serve him. God can reverse your fortunes in a heartbeat.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight at all times. Amen.
Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight at all times. Amen.