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.” Esther 5:10-13
To
say that Haman was in a bad place is an understatement. His pride and
over-sensitivity toward Mordecai was the perfect recipe for a megalomaniac.
But, Haman’s pride and passion would lead to his own demise.
Pride
is a dangerous thing. The Bible gives many warnings about pride. “God opposes
the proud
but
shows favor to the humble“ (James 4:6). “When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). “Pride goes before
destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). If we believe
what these verses say, then we understand that our pride leads to disgrace and
destruction and brings about opposition from God. Why is it that we risk losing
some much when we’re proud, yet it’s so hard to let go of?
Pride
encourages us to think highly of ourselves and toot our own horns. But, God
challenges us to live humbly and to allow Him to elevate us. “Pride brings a
person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor” (Proverbs 29:23). When we
realize how much God loves us and how highly He thinks of us, there really is
no reason to hang onto our pride. God will do the heavy lifting. We can enjoy
His presence.
How
is your pride getting the best of you these days? Where do you need to get self
out of the way? How do you need to let God or others have their way instead of
insisting on your way?
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