By Allen White
Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. Esther 10:3
Mordecai now occupied the spot that Haman once held (Esther 3:1). What Haman scratched and fought to attain, Mordecai was given as a reward for his faithfulness. The last person was now in a high position, the one putting himself first, Haman, was no more. The end of the story is poetic. The good guy finished first. The one who did the right thing got the reward. It was just. It was also Christ-like.
Jesus didn’t come to be served, even though God Almighty deserves our service. Jesus came as a servant to seek and save the lost (Matthew 20:28). When His disciples argued over who deserved what, Jesus very clearly explained that in His kingdom putting yourself forward only moves you backward, but the guy at the end of the line is better positioned to lead (Matthew 19:30).
Mordecai supported Esther and guided her along the way (Esther 2:7). Mordecai reported the plot to assassinate the king (Esther 2:19-23). Mordecai mourned the plight of his people (Esther 4). The humility of sackcloth and ashes brought about the power to save God’s people.
Our temptation is to self-promote and to brag about what we have done and what we can do. This is opposite to Jesus’ attitude:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:3-7).
I don’t add this verse to shame us. God’s way is completely different from how we are wired. This is part of our fallenness. But, God doesn’t leave us there.
Rather than beating ourselves up with Paul’s words about Jesus, ask God to build this kind of character in your life. Granted, God often uses opposite situations to forge our characters. Surrendering to God is a dangerous prayer. But, depending on ourselves is far more dangerous.
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Showing posts with label Esther. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Esther. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Beauty of Being Back Into a Corner
By Allen White
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.
So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. Esther 9:1-5, 14, 16-17, 19, 26
The Jews no longer feared the people. Instead, the people feared the Jews. Rather than the palace officials apprehending Mordecai, they were advocating for him. In fact, many of the people who once despised the Jews, now became Jews (Esther 9:17). The tide had turned. Just days before, a Jewish identity was a death sentence, now it was a badge of courage and strength.
The secret weapon of God’s people has never been their prowess or their military might. Their battles were never won on superior strategy or a show of force. The strength of God’s people has always been their God. No one else could have engineered a scheme to deliver them. In fact, the odds were completely stacked against them.
If not for God’s grace, the courage of a beauty queen, and the encouragement of her cousin, the Jewish people would have perished that day. Instead, God’s intervention brought victory on the scheduled day of their defeat. God was the only explanation for their deliverance. That’s the beauty of being backed into a corner and having no options.
When we are completely stuck and have no answers, when we’ve tried everything that we can think of, when we’re consulted every person that we know, when we’re at a complete loss, then we’re ready for God to work. Now, we could certainly ask God sooner, but many of us are not wired that way.
When God is the only one who can deliver us, then it’s very clear that God is our deliverer. No one else can claim the credit. No one else receives the glory. It all goes to God.
What corner do you find yourself backed into today? Have you exhausted all of your ideas and all of your resources? Don’t despair. You’re in a perfect place for God to help you. Just ask Him.
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On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.
So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled the ten sons of Haman.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy. Esther 9:1-5, 14, 16-17, 19, 26
The Jews no longer feared the people. Instead, the people feared the Jews. Rather than the palace officials apprehending Mordecai, they were advocating for him. In fact, many of the people who once despised the Jews, now became Jews (Esther 9:17). The tide had turned. Just days before, a Jewish identity was a death sentence, now it was a badge of courage and strength.
The secret weapon of God’s people has never been their prowess or their military might. Their battles were never won on superior strategy or a show of force. The strength of God’s people has always been their God. No one else could have engineered a scheme to deliver them. In fact, the odds were completely stacked against them.
If not for God’s grace, the courage of a beauty queen, and the encouragement of her cousin, the Jewish people would have perished that day. Instead, God’s intervention brought victory on the scheduled day of their defeat. God was the only explanation for their deliverance. That’s the beauty of being backed into a corner and having no options.
When we are completely stuck and have no answers, when we’ve tried everything that we can think of, when we’re consulted every person that we know, when we’re at a complete loss, then we’re ready for God to work. Now, we could certainly ask God sooner, but many of us are not wired that way.
When God is the only one who can deliver us, then it’s very clear that God is our deliverer. No one else can claim the credit. No one else receives the glory. It all goes to God.
What corner do you find yourself backed into today? Have you exhausted all of your ideas and all of your resources? Don’t despair. You’re in a perfect place for God to help you. Just ask Him.
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Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thou Shalt Party
By Allen White
For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. Esther 8:16-17
The king’s second edict was cause for a party. The Jewish people celebrated that day, and every year since. Purim, named for the lots cast by Haman to determine the date of the massacre (Esther 3:7), has occurred around the 15th of March every year since (March 20th for 2011).
A careful reading of Scripture will show that God commanded many parties: Passover (Exodus 12), Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16), and others. Why would God mandate parties? It seems like God’s commands come across more like “Thou Shalt Not…” rather than “Thou Shalt Party…” In God’s eyes, celebrations are just as important as surrender.
How do you celebrate God’s goodness in your life? What has God’s grace accomplished in your life? So often we focus so much on what’s going wrong that we forget about what’s going right.
George Buttrick, author of the book, Prayer, tells this story:
“A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper in which was one blot. He asked what they saw. All answered, “A blot.” The test was unfair; it invited the wrong answer. Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy. We need to deliberately call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin: we could never end: there are not pens or paper enough in all the world. The attempt would remind us of our ‘vast treasure of content.’”
Are you focused on the small blot in your life? Take a moment and look at all of the clean, white space around the blot. The white space represents God’s blessings. If the blot seems large and daunting, then take a step back. See it’s smaller now.
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For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. Esther 8:16-17
The king’s second edict was cause for a party. The Jewish people celebrated that day, and every year since. Purim, named for the lots cast by Haman to determine the date of the massacre (Esther 3:7), has occurred around the 15th of March every year since (March 20th for 2011).
A careful reading of Scripture will show that God commanded many parties: Passover (Exodus 12), Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur (Leviticus 16), and others. Why would God mandate parties? It seems like God’s commands come across more like “Thou Shalt Not…” rather than “Thou Shalt Party…” In God’s eyes, celebrations are just as important as surrender.
How do you celebrate God’s goodness in your life? What has God’s grace accomplished in your life? So often we focus so much on what’s going wrong that we forget about what’s going right.
George Buttrick, author of the book, Prayer, tells this story:
“A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper in which was one blot. He asked what they saw. All answered, “A blot.” The test was unfair; it invited the wrong answer. Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy. We need to deliberately call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin: we could never end: there are not pens or paper enough in all the world. The attempt would remind us of our ‘vast treasure of content.’”
Are you focused on the small blot in your life? Take a moment and look at all of the clean, white space around the blot. The white space represents God’s blessings. If the blot seems large and daunting, then take a step back. See it’s smaller now.
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Monday, March 7, 2011
God Never Wastes a Hurt
By Allen White
The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Esther 8:11-12
The king’s edict brought about a radical new turn of events. Now instead of the Jewish people fearing their captors and neighbors, they were charged with defending themselves. It was probably wise that the king allowed the Jews to defend themselves. After all, their enemies probably hadn’t had time to check their email or twitter since they were busy preparing for battle. If word hadn’t reached those who were planning to attack, then the edict really made no difference at all.
Now, instead of being sitting ducks on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month according to the first edict (Esther 3:13), the Jews would experience the other side of the coin. The day that was intended for their destruction would now be a day of victory. God turned things around.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Satan’s plan is to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), but God has other plans.
Over the years, I have witnessed people who have suffered the pain of divorce reach out to others who are experiencing divorce. I’ve seen drug addicts and ex-cons, deal with their addictions and help others find recovery. Our enemy intends to destroy us. God intends to deliver us, and those around us.
A few years ago, several of our members lost their spouses. We didn’t have a Grief Recovery group in place at our church in California at that time, but I knew that we needed to do something. I ordered the curriculum, but had no idea who would lead the group.
The curriculum arrived on a Monday morning. Later that morning, I received a communication card that someone put in the offering the previous day. The card said, “My husband died in a car accident while I was pregnant with triplets, then I lost one of the triplets. If anyone needs help dealing with their grief, I am available to help. Brandy.” I had never heard of this person before. I was dumbfounded. I looked at the box of grief curriculum, and then I looked at the card in my hand. Then, back at the box, then back at the card. Only God could have put this together.
After a quick check to see who knew Brandy and could vouch for her, I called Brandy and told her the story. She told me about the painful events of her life and how God’s people had come to her aid. A church she didn’t attend supplied three of everything she needed for her new babies. Brandy was ready to bless others out of her tragedy.
Paul writes, “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God certainly enabled Brandy to use the comfort she had received to comfort others.
How has the enemy intended to destroy you? What things have hateful people done to try to do you in physically or emotionally? There is a sweet sense of victory, when we can turn these things around on the enemy and use our painful experiences to glorify God. How can the pain on your life help another person and glorify God today?
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The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Esther 8:11-12
The king’s edict brought about a radical new turn of events. Now instead of the Jewish people fearing their captors and neighbors, they were charged with defending themselves. It was probably wise that the king allowed the Jews to defend themselves. After all, their enemies probably hadn’t had time to check their email or twitter since they were busy preparing for battle. If word hadn’t reached those who were planning to attack, then the edict really made no difference at all.
Now, instead of being sitting ducks on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month according to the first edict (Esther 3:13), the Jews would experience the other side of the coin. The day that was intended for their destruction would now be a day of victory. God turned things around.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Satan’s plan is to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), but God has other plans.
Over the years, I have witnessed people who have suffered the pain of divorce reach out to others who are experiencing divorce. I’ve seen drug addicts and ex-cons, deal with their addictions and help others find recovery. Our enemy intends to destroy us. God intends to deliver us, and those around us.
A few years ago, several of our members lost their spouses. We didn’t have a Grief Recovery group in place at our church in California at that time, but I knew that we needed to do something. I ordered the curriculum, but had no idea who would lead the group.
The curriculum arrived on a Monday morning. Later that morning, I received a communication card that someone put in the offering the previous day. The card said, “My husband died in a car accident while I was pregnant with triplets, then I lost one of the triplets. If anyone needs help dealing with their grief, I am available to help. Brandy.” I had never heard of this person before. I was dumbfounded. I looked at the box of grief curriculum, and then I looked at the card in my hand. Then, back at the box, then back at the card. Only God could have put this together.
After a quick check to see who knew Brandy and could vouch for her, I called Brandy and told her the story. She told me about the painful events of her life and how God’s people had come to her aid. A church she didn’t attend supplied three of everything she needed for her new babies. Brandy was ready to bless others out of her tragedy.
Paul writes, “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). God certainly enabled Brandy to use the comfort she had received to comfort others.
How has the enemy intended to destroy you? What things have hateful people done to try to do you in physically or emotionally? There is a sweet sense of victory, when we can turn these things around on the enemy and use our painful experiences to glorify God. How can the pain on your life help another person and glorify God today?
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Sunday, March 6, 2011
Never Assume
By Allen White
Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now 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.” Esther 8:3-8
Haman’s plot had been exposed, and he was punished by death (Esther 7:9-10). Haman’s estate was given to Esther to be run by Mordecai (Esther 8:7). This was certainly a surprising turn of events. For a queen who was hesitant to enter the presence of her king out of fear for her life, her brave actions paid off. But, one thing remained undone.
Even though the king understood Haman’s motivation to eliminate the Jews, the edict was still in place. The king knew the truth, but his kingdom did not. Esther made another bold entrance into the king’s court.
This time she was warmly received. Esther had kept the king from making the egregious error of killing all of the Jews, helped him avoid public humiliation, and allowed him to sleep at night. She had enough credit in the bank that she didn’t fear approaching the king this time.
Esther didn’t assume that the matter would be resolved. She took action to assure that the edict would be revoked and her people would be protected. It’s easy to assume if everyone appears to be in agreement that a decision has been made and action will be taken. But, if Esther hadn’t enter the king’s court the second time, then all of her efforts would have been in vain. Sure, Haman was dealt with, but his plan would have continued on as prescribed.
While you would think that the king would have acted on his own immediately, that assumption would have been the end of Esther’s people. Clear communication trumps assumption every time.
How many times has an assumption led to disappointment or conflict? You assumed that the other person understood things like you did. You assumed that after the conversation that they would do the right thing. You assumed that they would use their God-given common sense. Never assume.
What open loops do you have today? What were you expecting to be accomplished that’s still pending? Have you checked in with that person to see what’s happening? Maybe it fell off of their radar. Maybe it’s wasn’t as important to them as it was to you. Now, don’t get all obsessive and controlling. Ask, but only once.
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Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now 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.” Esther 8:3-8
Haman’s plot had been exposed, and he was punished by death (Esther 7:9-10). Haman’s estate was given to Esther to be run by Mordecai (Esther 8:7). This was certainly a surprising turn of events. For a queen who was hesitant to enter the presence of her king out of fear for her life, her brave actions paid off. But, one thing remained undone.
Even though the king understood Haman’s motivation to eliminate the Jews, the edict was still in place. The king knew the truth, but his kingdom did not. Esther made another bold entrance into the king’s court.
This time she was warmly received. Esther had kept the king from making the egregious error of killing all of the Jews, helped him avoid public humiliation, and allowed him to sleep at night. She had enough credit in the bank that she didn’t fear approaching the king this time.
Esther didn’t assume that the matter would be resolved. She took action to assure that the edict would be revoked and her people would be protected. It’s easy to assume if everyone appears to be in agreement that a decision has been made and action will be taken. But, if Esther hadn’t enter the king’s court the second time, then all of her efforts would have been in vain. Sure, Haman was dealt with, but his plan would have continued on as prescribed.
While you would think that the king would have acted on his own immediately, that assumption would have been the end of Esther’s people. Clear communication trumps assumption every time.
How many times has an assumption led to disappointment or conflict? You assumed that the other person understood things like you did. You assumed that after the conversation that they would do the right thing. You assumed that they would use their God-given common sense. Never assume.
What open loops do you have today? What were you expecting to be accomplished that’s still pending? Have you checked in with that person to see what’s happening? Maybe it fell off of their radar. Maybe it’s wasn’t as important to them as it was to you. Now, don’t get all obsessive and controlling. Ask, but only once.
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Thursday, March 3, 2011
Jesus’ Opposite World
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
Mordecai was a faithful man. He faithfully raised his cousin, Esther, as his own child. He faithfully watched over her while she lived in the harem. He faithfully advised her in how to handle herself. He faithfully reported the assassination plot against the king. He faithfully mourned for the fate of his people. Mordecai was a man who chose to do the right thing without thinking of himself or how he should be rewarded. The world could use more Mordecai’s.
Mordecai is a good example of the opposite world that Jesus introduced in His Kingdom. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45). That’s not what they taught us about standing in line at school.
Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-32). Boy, we can sure get caught up with things.
It’s easy to get our priorities out of line. When everyone else is looking out for number one, we feel that we’ll be left behind if we don’t do the same. Often we become so concerned for our own happiness and well-being that we don’t allow room for God to provide for us. Sometimes we become so focused on the here and now that we lose sight of eternity. Our time on earth is remarkably short compared to our life in eternity.
The Serenity Prayer closes this way:
“Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.”
If we’re scraping to get it all right now, we are certain to lose our serenity in the process. Don’t fret. Your life and good deeds, and even your suffering, will be rewarded, just not yet.
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Mordecai was a faithful man. He faithfully raised his cousin, Esther, as his own child. He faithfully watched over her while she lived in the harem. He faithfully advised her in how to handle herself. He faithfully reported the assassination plot against the king. He faithfully mourned for the fate of his people. Mordecai was a man who chose to do the right thing without thinking of himself or how he should be rewarded. The world could use more Mordecai’s.
Mordecai is a good example of the opposite world that Jesus introduced in His Kingdom. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45). That’s not what they taught us about standing in line at school.
Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-32). Boy, we can sure get caught up with things.
It’s easy to get our priorities out of line. When everyone else is looking out for number one, we feel that we’ll be left behind if we don’t do the same. Often we become so concerned for our own happiness and well-being that we don’t allow room for God to provide for us. Sometimes we become so focused on the here and now that we lose sight of eternity. Our time on earth is remarkably short compared to our life in eternity.
The Serenity Prayer closes this way:
“Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.”
If we’re scraping to get it all right now, we are certain to lose our serenity in the process. Don’t fret. Your life and good deeds, and even your suffering, will be rewarded, just not yet.
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Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds
The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.
The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”
As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits [about 75 feet] stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. Esther 7:7-10
What started as a personal grudge against Mordecai escalated to Haman’s demise. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2) out of loyalty to the Jewish people and their 1,000-year-old issue with the Amalekites (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Rather than take up the issue with Mordecai, Haman decided to eliminate Mordecai and everybody else like him. Haman’s ego caused his emotions to go overboard. His lack of self-control eventually led to his own undoing.
Blinded by pride and selfish ambition, Haman did everything he could to elevate himself in the king’s eyes. On the surface, things were going well for him. But, then reality set in. Haman’s plot led to his own undoing. By choosing to globalize the issue with Mordecai, Haman created a problem that he couldn’t escape or avoid. If only he could go back and do it differently now. (There’s a joke in there about Haman finally getting the “point,” but I’m not going to go there).
How many small issues given time become huge issues? By refusing to handle things early-on with individuals, people tend to put things off, involve other people, draw up sides, and create major problems. Do you know someone who was offended by some little thing 20 years ago and now there is a family feud? “Well, if he’s coming, then I’m not going because I can’t stand to be around him.” And why can’t they stand him? Maybe he said something stupid 20 years ago. Since we have never said anything stupid, we have every right to judge him.
Time doesn’t heal all wounds. In fact, neglecting our wounds and refusing to forgive infects our souls and causes us to die a little bit. By refusing to reconcile, we are not only missing out on them, we are also missing out on us.
What situation is an open loop in your life? What do you need to close it? What can just be considered water under the bridge at this point? What needs to be talked out? Before you bring harm to yourself, what can you do to resolve the issue?
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Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.
The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”
As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits [about 75 feet] stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. Esther 7:7-10
What started as a personal grudge against Mordecai escalated to Haman’s demise. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman (Esther 3:2) out of loyalty to the Jewish people and their 1,000-year-old issue with the Amalekites (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Rather than take up the issue with Mordecai, Haman decided to eliminate Mordecai and everybody else like him. Haman’s ego caused his emotions to go overboard. His lack of self-control eventually led to his own undoing.
Blinded by pride and selfish ambition, Haman did everything he could to elevate himself in the king’s eyes. On the surface, things were going well for him. But, then reality set in. Haman’s plot led to his own undoing. By choosing to globalize the issue with Mordecai, Haman created a problem that he couldn’t escape or avoid. If only he could go back and do it differently now. (There’s a joke in there about Haman finally getting the “point,” but I’m not going to go there).
How many small issues given time become huge issues? By refusing to handle things early-on with individuals, people tend to put things off, involve other people, draw up sides, and create major problems. Do you know someone who was offended by some little thing 20 years ago and now there is a family feud? “Well, if he’s coming, then I’m not going because I can’t stand to be around him.” And why can’t they stand him? Maybe he said something stupid 20 years ago. Since we have never said anything stupid, we have every right to judge him.
Time doesn’t heal all wounds. In fact, neglecting our wounds and refusing to forgive infects our souls and causes us to die a little bit. By refusing to reconcile, we are not only missing out on them, we are also missing out on us.
What situation is an open loop in your life? What do you need to close it? What can just be considered water under the bridge at this point? What needs to be talked out? Before you bring harm to yourself, what can you do to resolve the issue?
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Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Do You Engage People or Lecture Them?
King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Esther 7:5-7
Once Xerxes understood the severity of the situation, he asked the question, “Who?” At this point, Esther’s job wasn’t to intrigue him, but to very directly get him up to speed. He was ready to hear it now.
If Esther had started the conversation with finger pointing, Xerxes might have directed his energies toward defending his right-hand man, Haman. But, because Xerxes understood the seriousness of the matter, he was willing to take on whoever had brought this about. He wanted to defend his queen and her people. At this point, he could handle the truth.
Often we are guilty of answering questions that others aren’t asking. People don’t want to be talked at, they want to be engaged.
A few years ago, our team at Lifetogether.com led 17 conferences calls per week for all of the churches participating in 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community through Saddleback Church. The pastors on these calls had just received their campaign kits and were completely overwhelmed by what they had taken on. Our job was to equip them and talk them off of the ledge.
One of the call moderators would start in giving instructions and 60 minutes later would take questions. It was fire hose to face for sure. So, on some of the calls we opted for a different approach. We started the call by asking questions. What we found was that the participants were much more engaged, and to our surprise, we covered the same material as the lecturer.
What do the people around you need to hear? Rather than assuming that you know, listen to their questions. When are they teachable? When is it information overload? If you can answer their questions rather than lecturing them, the answers will stick.
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Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Esther 7:5-7
Once Xerxes understood the severity of the situation, he asked the question, “Who?” At this point, Esther’s job wasn’t to intrigue him, but to very directly get him up to speed. He was ready to hear it now.
If Esther had started the conversation with finger pointing, Xerxes might have directed his energies toward defending his right-hand man, Haman. But, because Xerxes understood the seriousness of the matter, he was willing to take on whoever had brought this about. He wanted to defend his queen and her people. At this point, he could handle the truth.
Often we are guilty of answering questions that others aren’t asking. People don’t want to be talked at, they want to be engaged.
A few years ago, our team at Lifetogether.com led 17 conferences calls per week for all of the churches participating in 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community through Saddleback Church. The pastors on these calls had just received their campaign kits and were completely overwhelmed by what they had taken on. Our job was to equip them and talk them off of the ledge.
One of the call moderators would start in giving instructions and 60 minutes later would take questions. It was fire hose to face for sure. So, on some of the calls we opted for a different approach. We started the call by asking questions. What we found was that the participants were much more engaged, and to our surprise, we covered the same material as the lecturer.
What do the people around you need to hear? Rather than assuming that you know, listen to their questions. When are they teachable? When is it information overload? If you can answer their questions rather than lecturing them, the answers will stick.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
How to Fascinate Others
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. 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.” Esther 7:3-4
Esther makes an eloquent request. She doesn’t cut to the chase. Her words are intriguing. She left a few unanswered questions, and fascinated the king. Her goal was to engage the king’s mind and to evoke strong emotion. And, she succeeded.
Sometimes our attempts at persuasion boil down to a battle of wills. “This is what I want.” “Well, this is what I want.” Where do you go from there? Often confronting a situation directly just blows up in our face. When we take a person head on, they become threatened and defensive. When we speak frankly to another person about him or herself, their defensiveness causes them to miss the point.
People can’t look directly at themselves. It’s too close. It’s too personal. It’s hard for them to see. We can only see ourselves in reflections.
Esther doesn’t lay into Xerxes about his edict to exterminate the Jewish people. Xerxes wouldn’t have connected the dots. He would have felt personally attacked. Esther’s mission would have failed right there.
Instead, Esther causes Xerxes to look at the situation by talking about it indirectly. This wasn’t a passive-aggressive, innuendo, and insinuation kind of tactic. Esther’s approach allowed Xerxes to look at the circumstance objectively. He would automatically ask himself, “Who would do such a thing?” before he realized that he was the one.
How do you approach other people? Do you go straight for the jugular? Do you immediately rub their noses in it? How can you discuss the facts without causing them to become defensive? Is there a story you can tell from another situation? Is there a way to invoke their interest without provoking their anger?
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To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Esther makes an eloquent request. She doesn’t cut to the chase. Her words are intriguing. She left a few unanswered questions, and fascinated the king. Her goal was to engage the king’s mind and to evoke strong emotion. And, she succeeded.
Sometimes our attempts at persuasion boil down to a battle of wills. “This is what I want.” “Well, this is what I want.” Where do you go from there? Often confronting a situation directly just blows up in our face. When we take a person head on, they become threatened and defensive. When we speak frankly to another person about him or herself, their defensiveness causes them to miss the point.
People can’t look directly at themselves. It’s too close. It’s too personal. It’s hard for them to see. We can only see ourselves in reflections.
Esther doesn’t lay into Xerxes about his edict to exterminate the Jewish people. Xerxes wouldn’t have connected the dots. He would have felt personally attacked. Esther’s mission would have failed right there.
Instead, Esther causes Xerxes to look at the situation by talking about it indirectly. This wasn’t a passive-aggressive, innuendo, and insinuation kind of tactic. Esther’s approach allowed Xerxes to look at the circumstance objectively. He would automatically ask himself, “Who would do such a thing?” before he realized that he was the one.
How do you approach other people? Do you go straight for the jugular? Do you immediately rub their noses in it? How can you discuss the facts without causing them to become defensive? Is there a story you can tell from another situation? Is there a way to invoke their interest without provoking their anger?
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To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Hey God, I’ve Got This One
So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” Esther 7:1-2
Much had transpired since the last banquet just 24 hours before. Haman had gone from the elation of dining with the king and queen to the humiliation of parading Mordecai through the streets proclaiming his honor. Haman knew in his heart that his plot would be undone. What he didn’t know was that the other shoe was soon to drop.
Haman gathered what little dignity he had left and attended another banquet with the king and queen. If anything, his ego needed some re-inflating, even though he had been warned by his wife, his advisors, and the circumstances of that day.
Pride is a powerful and dangerous trait. The Bible says, “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5).
Now, if we were completely humble, we could sit back and gloat a little bit. “Those prideful, you-know-whats are going to get theirs.” The problem is that we struggle with our pride too. I don’t say this for us to fear punishment. God’s grace has removed the punishment of our sin (Romans 8:1). But, we do need to be aware of the dangers of our pride.
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God” (Psalm 10:4). Is there room for God in our thoughts? Do we seek after God? Or in our life and actions are we telling God, “I’ve got this.” Jesus only did the things that He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). Are we better than Jesus that we can figure things out on our own? That doesn’t mean that we’re bad people. It just means that we’re proud.
Haman’s pride led to his downfall. Mordecai’s humility led to God’s success. Which side of the equation do you want to be on? What does it mean for you to humbly submit yourself to God? What does it mean to release your stubborn pride?
You hold the key to God’s work in your life. As long as you insist on your way, God will give you what you want. Sometimes that’s the worst thing that can happen to us. If you want a life beyond what you can create for yourself, humility is the path.
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To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Much had transpired since the last banquet just 24 hours before. Haman had gone from the elation of dining with the king and queen to the humiliation of parading Mordecai through the streets proclaiming his honor. Haman knew in his heart that his plot would be undone. What he didn’t know was that the other shoe was soon to drop.
Haman gathered what little dignity he had left and attended another banquet with the king and queen. If anything, his ego needed some re-inflating, even though he had been warned by his wife, his advisors, and the circumstances of that day.
Pride is a powerful and dangerous trait. The Bible says, “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5).
Now, if we were completely humble, we could sit back and gloat a little bit. “Those prideful, you-know-whats are going to get theirs.” The problem is that we struggle with our pride too. I don’t say this for us to fear punishment. God’s grace has removed the punishment of our sin (Romans 8:1). But, we do need to be aware of the dangers of our pride.
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God” (Psalm 10:4). Is there room for God in our thoughts? Do we seek after God? Or in our life and actions are we telling God, “I’ve got this.” Jesus only did the things that He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). Are we better than Jesus that we can figure things out on our own? That doesn’t mean that we’re bad people. It just means that we’re proud.
Haman’s pride led to his downfall. Mordecai’s humility led to God’s success. Which side of the equation do you want to be on? What does it mean for you to humbly submit yourself to God? What does it mean to release your stubborn pride?
You hold the key to God’s work in your life. As long as you insist on your way, God will give you what you want. Sometimes that’s the worst thing that can happen to us. If you want a life beyond what you can create for yourself, humility is the path.
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
God Trumps Strategy Every Time
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” Esther 6:12-13 (NLT)
The king’s honor certainly didn’t go to Mordecai’s head. He returned to his post at the king’s gate where he had been keeping a watchful eye over Esther and had been mourning for the fate of his people. Mordecai didn’t brag to his friends. He didn’t see victory over the impending evil. Mordecai kept this honor in the proper perspective. He had done the right thing in reporting the plot against the king, and now he received the king’s reward. But, that’s as far as it went. It was back to business.
While we might have expected Mordecai to have an emotional outburst of celebration, it’s Haman whose emotions are out of control. The plan that Haman had so carefully woven now had him completely tied up in knots. All of his plotting fueled by selfish motives was now beginning to work against him. Mordecai wasn’t more strategic than Haman. Mordecai’s God was greater than the evil in Haman’s heart. Evil is not overcome with cleverness. Evil is overcome with good (Romans 12:21).
Often we get caught up in the motives and actions of other people. Some people seem so opposed to us that we might even consider them to be our enemies. But, people are not our enemies. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). How much time do we waste struggling with flesh and blood? How much of our energy is devoted to outwitting other people? What if that energy was directed toward drawing closer to God?
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Just as Mordecai depended on the promises that his faithful God made to His people, we must depend on the promises God has made to us. Our defense is found in God’s Word, prayer, His righteousness and salvation, faith and truth (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Who are you ready to go to battle against today? Is this really your battle to fight? Could this just be a distraction from what God really wants to accomplish in your life? Have you given this situation over to God?
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The king’s honor certainly didn’t go to Mordecai’s head. He returned to his post at the king’s gate where he had been keeping a watchful eye over Esther and had been mourning for the fate of his people. Mordecai didn’t brag to his friends. He didn’t see victory over the impending evil. Mordecai kept this honor in the proper perspective. He had done the right thing in reporting the plot against the king, and now he received the king’s reward. But, that’s as far as it went. It was back to business.
While we might have expected Mordecai to have an emotional outburst of celebration, it’s Haman whose emotions are out of control. The plan that Haman had so carefully woven now had him completely tied up in knots. All of his plotting fueled by selfish motives was now beginning to work against him. Mordecai wasn’t more strategic than Haman. Mordecai’s God was greater than the evil in Haman’s heart. Evil is not overcome with cleverness. Evil is overcome with good (Romans 12:21).
Often we get caught up in the motives and actions of other people. Some people seem so opposed to us that we might even consider them to be our enemies. But, people are not our enemies. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). How much time do we waste struggling with flesh and blood? How much of our energy is devoted to outwitting other people? What if that energy was directed toward drawing closer to God?
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Just as Mordecai depended on the promises that his faithful God made to His people, we must depend on the promises God has made to us. Our defense is found in God’s Word, prayer, His righteousness and salvation, faith and truth (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Who are you ready to go to battle against today? Is this really your battle to fight? Could this just be a distraction from what God really wants to accomplish in your life? Have you given this situation over to God?
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
If the Claw Fits
So [Haman] answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor,
Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”
So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief... Esther 6:7, 9-12
The reward Haman requested for the unnamed recipient was obviously Haman himself, at least in his own mind. Haman was practicing half of the Golden Rule: “as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). He just forgot the “Do unto others” part. But, the reward wasn’t for Haman.
After learning that the honor went to Mordecai, Haman quickly toppled from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat. Haman had to parade Mordecai through the city and proclaim, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” I would imagine that coming up with a smile was more than a challenge for Haman.
We are all naturally jealous. Maybe we’re not proclaiming the good deeds of our archrival like Haman. We don’t have to go that far to be jealous. If a co-worker gets a promotion or a friend gets a new car, what is our first reaction? Do yo think “Good for you. Way to go” or "I work as hard as he does. Why didn't I get that?" Are our first thoughts jealous thoughts or generous thoughts?
Someone asked years ago, “How do you keep crabs in a basket? You don’t need a lid. You just need two crabs. One will make sure that the other doesn’t escape the basket.” I hate to admit that sometimes the claw fits.
The Bible tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). If we were honest, we would admit that often it’s easier to mourn with the mournful than rejoice with the joyful. I’m not saying that we’re a bunch of Eeyores ready to darken anyone’s day. We’re probably more like crabs.
When someone is suffering, we can pray for them. We can offer our help. We can lift them up. Often when something good happens, there’s nothing for us to do, except maybe envy them. They don’t seem to need our prayer. After all, they’ve succeeded. They don’t need our help. They don’t need to be lifted. They’re already up there. We wouldn’t want them to get a big head or anything. Maybe our job is to keep them humble amid their success. Maybe we need to get over ourselves.
There is something poetic about Haman honoring Mordecai at the king’s request. I don’t think Mordecai took advantage of the situation. I don’t think Mordecai was haughty. I doubt that he gloated. He doesn’t strike me as being that kind of man.
We can certainly cheer Mordecai’s success and even Haman’s humiliation. We all want the good guys to finish first – the tortoise to beat the hare, the underdog and the dark horse to get the advantage. We want the force to be with us. This calls for a little excessive jubilation in the end zone of life. But, we are not called to rub other people’s noses in it.
The Bible tell us to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). It’s not our job to lift ourselves up. It’s our job to humbly submit ourselves to God. God does the heavy lifting.
Where do you feel that you need to assert yourself and your agenda today? Are you considering the good of everybody or just your own good? What signal have you received from God: Stop, Yield or Go?
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Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”
So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief... Esther 6:7, 9-12
The reward Haman requested for the unnamed recipient was obviously Haman himself, at least in his own mind. Haman was practicing half of the Golden Rule: “as you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). He just forgot the “Do unto others” part. But, the reward wasn’t for Haman.
After learning that the honor went to Mordecai, Haman quickly toppled from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat. Haman had to parade Mordecai through the city and proclaim, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” I would imagine that coming up with a smile was more than a challenge for Haman.
We are all naturally jealous. Maybe we’re not proclaiming the good deeds of our archrival like Haman. We don’t have to go that far to be jealous. If a co-worker gets a promotion or a friend gets a new car, what is our first reaction? Do yo think “Good for you. Way to go” or "I work as hard as he does. Why didn't I get that?" Are our first thoughts jealous thoughts or generous thoughts?
Someone asked years ago, “How do you keep crabs in a basket? You don’t need a lid. You just need two crabs. One will make sure that the other doesn’t escape the basket.” I hate to admit that sometimes the claw fits.
The Bible tells us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). If we were honest, we would admit that often it’s easier to mourn with the mournful than rejoice with the joyful. I’m not saying that we’re a bunch of Eeyores ready to darken anyone’s day. We’re probably more like crabs.
When someone is suffering, we can pray for them. We can offer our help. We can lift them up. Often when something good happens, there’s nothing for us to do, except maybe envy them. They don’t seem to need our prayer. After all, they’ve succeeded. They don’t need our help. They don’t need to be lifted. They’re already up there. We wouldn’t want them to get a big head or anything. Maybe our job is to keep them humble amid their success. Maybe we need to get over ourselves.
There is something poetic about Haman honoring Mordecai at the king’s request. I don’t think Mordecai took advantage of the situation. I don’t think Mordecai was haughty. I doubt that he gloated. He doesn’t strike me as being that kind of man.
We can certainly cheer Mordecai’s success and even Haman’s humiliation. We all want the good guys to finish first – the tortoise to beat the hare, the underdog and the dark horse to get the advantage. We want the force to be with us. This calls for a little excessive jubilation in the end zone of life. But, we are not called to rub other people’s noses in it.
The Bible tell us to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). It’s not our job to lift ourselves up. It’s our job to humbly submit ourselves to God. God does the heavy lifting.
Where do you feel that you need to assert yourself and your agenda today? Are you considering the good of everybody or just your own good? What signal have you received from God: Stop, Yield or Go?
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Tuesday, February 22, 2011
God Shouldn’t Be Your Co-Pilot
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”
“Bring him in,” the king ordered.
When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” Esther 6:1-6
Mordecai demonstrated selflessness by reporting the plot against the king. He had nothing to gain from getting involved. Mordecai did the right thing, but was never rewarded. He might have felt the satisfaction of a job well done. He might have felt gypped. Either way, Mordecai could sleep at night.
Haman, on the other hand, was vengeful, arrogant, deceitful and proud. He received a promotion out of the blue and become second in command to Xerxes. Haman was overly impressed with himself. I imagine that he carried a picture of himself in his wallet.
When Xerxes discovered the error of having never rewarded Mordecai, he asked Haman what the reward should be. Haman instantly thought of himself as the one worthy of reward. If you looked up self-centered in the dictionary, Haman’s picture would be right there. After all, who else could the king possibly want to honor?
How much do you tend to think about yourself? When someone makes a passing remark, do you immediately assume that it’s about you? Are you oversensitive or defensive about everything? When we put ourselves in the center, it’s all up to us to make everything okay (for us). That’s a very heavy burden. When we place God in the center, we can feel safe and secure. We can experience peace in our circumstances. It’s no longer all up to us. It’s up to God.
When putting ourselves in the center might feel safe, it is actually much more dangerous than we realize. God shouldn’t be your co-pilot. Let God be your pilot, then go back to first class and put your feet up.
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“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”
“Bring him in,” the king ordered.
When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” Esther 6:1-6
Mordecai demonstrated selflessness by reporting the plot against the king. He had nothing to gain from getting involved. Mordecai did the right thing, but was never rewarded. He might have felt the satisfaction of a job well done. He might have felt gypped. Either way, Mordecai could sleep at night.
Haman, on the other hand, was vengeful, arrogant, deceitful and proud. He received a promotion out of the blue and become second in command to Xerxes. Haman was overly impressed with himself. I imagine that he carried a picture of himself in his wallet.
When Xerxes discovered the error of having never rewarded Mordecai, he asked Haman what the reward should be. Haman instantly thought of himself as the one worthy of reward. If you looked up self-centered in the dictionary, Haman’s picture would be right there. After all, who else could the king possibly want to honor?
How much do you tend to think about yourself? When someone makes a passing remark, do you immediately assume that it’s about you? Are you oversensitive or defensive about everything? When we put ourselves in the center, it’s all up to us to make everything okay (for us). That’s a very heavy burden. When we place God in the center, we can feel safe and secure. We can experience peace in our circumstances. It’s no longer all up to us. It’s up to God.
When putting ourselves in the center might feel safe, it is actually much more dangerous than we realize. God shouldn’t be your co-pilot. Let God be your pilot, then go back to first class and put your feet up.
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Monday, February 21, 2011
I Wouldn’t Touch Him with a 75 Foot Pole
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits [about 75 feet] 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 5:14
Fortunately for most of us, public impaling is a thing of the past. Haman was a man in need of a reality check. He had no one in his life who would tell him the truth. Apparently, his family and friends were so enamored with his power and general awesomeness that no one questioned his motives or his thoughts. It’s a dangerous place to live when others support our emotional reactions and irrational behavior. Haman was completely disconnected from reality and could no longer recognize the truth. His ill intentions for Mordecai would eventually become his own undoing.
None of us are exempt from mistakes and misunderstandings. When our voice becomes the only voice that we’re hearing, then we need to get some other inputs. When we find ourselves surrounded only by people who agree with us, we need to seek wise counsel. It’s important for all of us to have people in our lives who love us, but aren’t impressed with us. There is too much at risk to surround ourselves with people who fawn after us and think that we can do no wrong. It might be fun to seem god-like for a season, but it will soon collapse.
Who is speaking truth into your life these days? When was the last time you really talked to someone who doesn’t share your point of view? Who loves you enough to bring up the hard things? Who speaks the truth about the things that you’re blind to? If you don’t have these relationships in your life, pray that God would send someone to speak the truth in love to you (Ephesians 4:15).
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Fortunately for most of us, public impaling is a thing of the past. Haman was a man in need of a reality check. He had no one in his life who would tell him the truth. Apparently, his family and friends were so enamored with his power and general awesomeness that no one questioned his motives or his thoughts. It’s a dangerous place to live when others support our emotional reactions and irrational behavior. Haman was completely disconnected from reality and could no longer recognize the truth. His ill intentions for Mordecai would eventually become his own undoing.
None of us are exempt from mistakes and misunderstandings. When our voice becomes the only voice that we’re hearing, then we need to get some other inputs. When we find ourselves surrounded only by people who agree with us, we need to seek wise counsel. It’s important for all of us to have people in our lives who love us, but aren’t impressed with us. There is too much at risk to surround ourselves with people who fawn after us and think that we can do no wrong. It might be fun to seem god-like for a season, but it will soon collapse.
Who is speaking truth into your life these days? When was the last time you really talked to someone who doesn’t share your point of view? Who loves you enough to bring up the hard things? Who speaks the truth about the things that you’re blind to? If you don’t have these relationships in your life, pray that God would send someone to speak the truth in love to you (Ephesians 4:15).
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Sunday, February 20, 2011
Megalomaniacs Anonymous
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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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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Thursday, February 17, 2011
God is Always There for Us
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Not every promise in the Bible is ours to claim. Often I hear Christians claiming promises like Joshua 1:3, “I will give you every place you set your foot as I promised Moses.” Some Christians have used this verse to support prayer walks and various activities, and I have nothing against praying or walking. It’s just that this promise is not for us. We can’t boldly stride into our neighbor’s yard and claim it for ourselves. I mean, you could try it, but I’m taking no responsibility here.
While every promise was not made to us, these promises can encourage us by reminding us of God’s nature. The promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 was given to the people of Israel to encourage them in taking possession of the Promised Land. The words that God speaks to them are certainly words that encourage us. But, more than the words are encouraging. The outcome is far more encouraging. God’s people did drive out their enemies and came to possess the Promised Land. The Jewish people still inhabit the Promised Land today. God kept His promise. God was faithful to them.
As God’s people today, we possess something far greater than an arid piece of desert land. God has given us His Kingdom (Luke 18:16). He has given His salvation (Romans 1:16). He has given His assurance (Hebrews 10:22). He has promised abundant life both now and for eternity (John 10:10).
This promise from Deuteronomy is great assurance of all that God has promised us. The best part is that God is always with us. Every place that we go, God is there. Often we don’t recognize His Presence or invite Him into our circumstance, but God is always there for us.
I would like to challenge you today. Every place that you go invite God’s Presence to be with you. Just quietly and to yourself. You don’t need to make a big scene. Invite God into every aspect of your day today. Let me know how it goes.
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Not every promise in the Bible is ours to claim. Often I hear Christians claiming promises like Joshua 1:3, “I will give you every place you set your foot as I promised Moses.” Some Christians have used this verse to support prayer walks and various activities, and I have nothing against praying or walking. It’s just that this promise is not for us. We can’t boldly stride into our neighbor’s yard and claim it for ourselves. I mean, you could try it, but I’m taking no responsibility here.
While every promise was not made to us, these promises can encourage us by reminding us of God’s nature. The promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 was given to the people of Israel to encourage them in taking possession of the Promised Land. The words that God speaks to them are certainly words that encourage us. But, more than the words are encouraging. The outcome is far more encouraging. God’s people did drive out their enemies and came to possess the Promised Land. The Jewish people still inhabit the Promised Land today. God kept His promise. God was faithful to them.
As God’s people today, we possess something far greater than an arid piece of desert land. God has given us His Kingdom (Luke 18:16). He has given His salvation (Romans 1:16). He has given His assurance (Hebrews 10:22). He has promised abundant life both now and for eternity (John 10:10).
This promise from Deuteronomy is great assurance of all that God has promised us. The best part is that God is always with us. Every place that we go, God is there. Often we don’t recognize His Presence or invite Him into our circumstance, but God is always there for us.
I would like to challenge you today. Every place that you go invite God’s Presence to be with you. Just quietly and to yourself. You don’t need to make a big scene. Invite God into every aspect of your day today. Let me know how it goes.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Building Relationships While in Conflict?
Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” Esther 5:3-8
Rather than focusing on the problem, Esther chooses to focus on the relationships. She doesn’t start the party by blurting out accusations like a crazy person. She entertains not only the king, but also Haman who instigated the plot. Why even invite Haman?
Haman didn’t have the power to act, but he did have the power to influence. Sure, the king could reverse the edict and save the Jewish people, but Haman would just wait until the next opportunity.
It was wise to include Haman in the dinner. This way everyone involved in making the decision would experience the same things and participate in the same conversation. There was no room for interpretation or exaggeration outside of the meeting. No one would forward portions of their emails. They would work all of this out together.
Esther’s banquet invitation led to a second invitation. Whether this was the decorum of the time or a way of showing courtesy and building into the relationship, Esther certainly wasn’t stalling for time. The date had been set. Action needed to take place quickly.
Who are you at odds with right now? How would you rate that relationship? Do you tend to go around this person? Do you go over their head or behind their back? Maybe it’s time to figure out a way improve the relationship. I know that you’d rather have a root canal, but there will be a time when you are grateful for having built this relationship rather than avoiding the person.
What’s the first step?
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“If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
“Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” Esther 5:3-8
Rather than focusing on the problem, Esther chooses to focus on the relationships. She doesn’t start the party by blurting out accusations like a crazy person. She entertains not only the king, but also Haman who instigated the plot. Why even invite Haman?
Haman didn’t have the power to act, but he did have the power to influence. Sure, the king could reverse the edict and save the Jewish people, but Haman would just wait until the next opportunity.
It was wise to include Haman in the dinner. This way everyone involved in making the decision would experience the same things and participate in the same conversation. There was no room for interpretation or exaggeration outside of the meeting. No one would forward portions of their emails. They would work all of this out together.
Esther’s banquet invitation led to a second invitation. Whether this was the decorum of the time or a way of showing courtesy and building into the relationship, Esther certainly wasn’t stalling for time. The date had been set. Action needed to take place quickly.
Who are you at odds with right now? How would you rate that relationship? Do you tend to go around this person? Do you go over their head or behind their back? Maybe it’s time to figure out a way improve the relationship. I know that you’d rather have a root canal, but there will be a time when you are grateful for having built this relationship rather than avoiding the person.
What’s the first step?
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Don’t Let Your Behavior Become the Issue
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Esther 5:1-2
In modern times, Esther’s entrance might have looked more like this: “Are you out of your mind, Xerxes? Don’t you understand that if you kill all of the Jewish people, that you’re also killing me. Maybe rather than hiding behind your servants, you could walk out of this palace gate and see what’s going on for yourself. But, you’ve surrounded yourself with a bunch of yes men and you just do whatever they tell you to do. King, my foot. You’re no Nebucchadnezzar old boy…” But, Esther was wiser than that. After all, Queen Vashti didn’t leave a forwarding address.
There is a place to speak our minds, but I believe that Jerry Springer’s show is no longer on the air. Before we release a head of steam, we have to think about the effect that we will have. No one is motivated by scolding. No one wants to hear how terrible they are. Most of us are already fully aware of our weaknesses. When we treat others disrespectfully, we treat them as less than human. They are no longer a person to reason with. We have lowered them to a mammal that must obey. No wonder they bite back.
There was much at stake in Esther’s appearance in the throne room. If she didn’t handle herself correctly, her cause and her life would end. While most of us are not threatened with death in how we handle conflict or disputes, sometimes our actions will put to death communication and any chance at resolving an issue. Even if the other person seems to be unreasonable that doesn’t give us license to jump off the cliff with them.
Showing respect will go a long way in receiving favor from another person. The days of name calling and ridicule should have stopped in elementary school. If you were the other person, which you could never imagine, how would you want to be treated? Why do they do what they do? What is their motive? What is their heart?
Don’t let your misbehavior become the issue. Let the issue be the issue, and approach the other person with respect.
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In modern times, Esther’s entrance might have looked more like this: “Are you out of your mind, Xerxes? Don’t you understand that if you kill all of the Jewish people, that you’re also killing me. Maybe rather than hiding behind your servants, you could walk out of this palace gate and see what’s going on for yourself. But, you’ve surrounded yourself with a bunch of yes men and you just do whatever they tell you to do. King, my foot. You’re no Nebucchadnezzar old boy…” But, Esther was wiser than that. After all, Queen Vashti didn’t leave a forwarding address.
There is a place to speak our minds, but I believe that Jerry Springer’s show is no longer on the air. Before we release a head of steam, we have to think about the effect that we will have. No one is motivated by scolding. No one wants to hear how terrible they are. Most of us are already fully aware of our weaknesses. When we treat others disrespectfully, we treat them as less than human. They are no longer a person to reason with. We have lowered them to a mammal that must obey. No wonder they bite back.
There was much at stake in Esther’s appearance in the throne room. If she didn’t handle herself correctly, her cause and her life would end. While most of us are not threatened with death in how we handle conflict or disputes, sometimes our actions will put to death communication and any chance at resolving an issue. Even if the other person seems to be unreasonable that doesn’t give us license to jump off the cliff with them.
Showing respect will go a long way in receiving favor from another person. The days of name calling and ridicule should have stopped in elementary school. If you were the other person, which you could never imagine, how would you want to be treated? Why do they do what they do? What is their motive? What is their heart?
Don’t let your misbehavior become the issue. Let the issue be the issue, and approach the other person with respect.
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Monday, February 14, 2011
Que Sera Sera
When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16
Esther decided to approach the king uninvited once the people had fasted. Surely, if everyone was serious about this and determined that Esther’s intervention was the right course of action, then she would move forward.
Her words can be taken in several different ways. Some take “if I perish, I perish” to mean that Esther was resigned to face her fate. She and her people were backed into a corner, so she really didn’t have any other choice. This is sort of the Doris Day version of the story, “Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, the future’s not ours, to see…” (Wow, that’s a throwback. I don’t even know how I knew that song. It’s not on my iPod…). Life just happens. It’s fate or dumb luck or whatever. It doesn’t sound like there’s much that we can do about it.
But, Esther’s tone here is not resignation. Esther is showing great courage. She is willing to lay down her life, if necessary, for the sake of her people. There is no greater love than this (John 15:13).
There was no easy solution to this situation. Esther couldn’t just waltz into the throne room and give the king a piece of her mind, considering the fate of the last queen who mouthed off. An uninvited appearance could result in death. Her silence would also result in death. The crucible of her situation forged courage that she might have lacked otherwise.
To use an overused quote, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Esther didn’t have much choice, except the choice to take action rather than passively submit to fate.
When circumstances are stacked against us, it’s easy to feel like just giving up. The temptation is just to walk away, to escape. But, the path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked. God did not place us on this earth merely to let life happen to us. God put us here to make a difference, to build our character, and to glorify Him. Cowardice doesn’t glorify God. Courage wrought by faith does.
What corner do you find yourself backed into today? What overwhelming circumstance are you tempted just to give in to? What is making you entertain the idea of running away or cashing it in? It’s time to take courage and do something about the situation. Giving up may mean giving the outcome over to God, and fully submitting to His will.
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Esther decided to approach the king uninvited once the people had fasted. Surely, if everyone was serious about this and determined that Esther’s intervention was the right course of action, then she would move forward.
Her words can be taken in several different ways. Some take “if I perish, I perish” to mean that Esther was resigned to face her fate. She and her people were backed into a corner, so she really didn’t have any other choice. This is sort of the Doris Day version of the story, “Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, the future’s not ours, to see…” (Wow, that’s a throwback. I don’t even know how I knew that song. It’s not on my iPod…). Life just happens. It’s fate or dumb luck or whatever. It doesn’t sound like there’s much that we can do about it.
But, Esther’s tone here is not resignation. Esther is showing great courage. She is willing to lay down her life, if necessary, for the sake of her people. There is no greater love than this (John 15:13).
There was no easy solution to this situation. Esther couldn’t just waltz into the throne room and give the king a piece of her mind, considering the fate of the last queen who mouthed off. An uninvited appearance could result in death. Her silence would also result in death. The crucible of her situation forged courage that she might have lacked otherwise.
To use an overused quote, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Esther didn’t have much choice, except the choice to take action rather than passively submit to fate.
When circumstances are stacked against us, it’s easy to feel like just giving up. The temptation is just to walk away, to escape. But, the path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked. God did not place us on this earth merely to let life happen to us. God put us here to make a difference, to build our character, and to glorify Him. Cowardice doesn’t glorify God. Courage wrought by faith does.
What corner do you find yourself backed into today? What overwhelming circumstance are you tempted just to give in to? What is making you entertain the idea of running away or cashing it in? It’s time to take courage and do something about the situation. Giving up may mean giving the outcome over to God, and fully submitting to His will.
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Hunger Strike or Drawing Closer to God?
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do.” Esther 4:15-16
Fasting is often misunderstood, and sometimes is unwelcomed. Most people who fast are preparing for some sort of surgical procedure. To be honest, that’s not a great association. They deny themselves in order to undergo something rather unpleasant. That’s not much of a reward.
In Christian circles fasting is one of those things that people tend to use to amp up their prayer. When prayer alone won’t do the job, they will fast and pray. Now they’re serious.
Don’t get me wrong. We need to be serious about prayer and connecting with God. But, a lot of the fasting that I’ve witnessed seems more like a hunger strike. “I won’t eat until God answers my prayer.” Well, if God answered with “wait,” they’ll be fasting for a while.
If one person’s fast didn’t achieve the answer that they desired, then fellow believers would join in. Their collective fasting and praying would forcefully move the hand of God, or so they think. This seems more like a protest than intercession. God is sovereign. It’s not our place to attempt to move His hand. It’s our place to obey.
Jesus did tell us that some things can only be accomplished through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29 – Most modern translations, however, put “fasting” in a footnote). But, God is not the one who needs the prayer and fasting. We do.
Fasting offers an opportunity to connect with God. The time that we would spend eating is devoted to prayer. In this time of conversation, yes, speaking and listening, we set aside a time when normally we would provide for ourselves. We seek God’s provision instead.
Fasting is a means of discerning God’s will. The task is not to change God’s mind, but to obtain the mind of God about the issue (Joel 2:12). It’s not forcing God to fall in line with our plans, but to align ourselves with God’s plan. When we are moving in God’s direction, it’s amazing how much will actually go our way.
The byproduct of fasting is benevolence. The money that we save from avoiding meals can be given to the poor. God provides for our needs through prayer, and then God provides for the poor through our generosity.
When was the last time that you fasted? Have you ever fasted? If you have a physical condition that would be affected by fasting, you need to check with your doctor before attempting a fast. If you determine to fast for a long period of time, it would be good to research fasting and consult your doctor as well.
Try a beginner fast: start the day with breakfast then fast from Noon today until Noon tomorrow. Then, eat dinner on the second day. You are allowed to drink fluids during a fast. Some people stick to water and juice only. Some will add milkshakes and smoothies. The point is not to make this a legalistic exercise. This is also not the place to try out the Bassomatic.
You really won’t understand the benefits of fasting until you have experienced it yourself.
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Fasting is often misunderstood, and sometimes is unwelcomed. Most people who fast are preparing for some sort of surgical procedure. To be honest, that’s not a great association. They deny themselves in order to undergo something rather unpleasant. That’s not much of a reward.
In Christian circles fasting is one of those things that people tend to use to amp up their prayer. When prayer alone won’t do the job, they will fast and pray. Now they’re serious.
Don’t get me wrong. We need to be serious about prayer and connecting with God. But, a lot of the fasting that I’ve witnessed seems more like a hunger strike. “I won’t eat until God answers my prayer.” Well, if God answered with “wait,” they’ll be fasting for a while.
If one person’s fast didn’t achieve the answer that they desired, then fellow believers would join in. Their collective fasting and praying would forcefully move the hand of God, or so they think. This seems more like a protest than intercession. God is sovereign. It’s not our place to attempt to move His hand. It’s our place to obey.
Jesus did tell us that some things can only be accomplished through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29 – Most modern translations, however, put “fasting” in a footnote). But, God is not the one who needs the prayer and fasting. We do.
Fasting offers an opportunity to connect with God. The time that we would spend eating is devoted to prayer. In this time of conversation, yes, speaking and listening, we set aside a time when normally we would provide for ourselves. We seek God’s provision instead.
Fasting is a means of discerning God’s will. The task is not to change God’s mind, but to obtain the mind of God about the issue (Joel 2:12). It’s not forcing God to fall in line with our plans, but to align ourselves with God’s plan. When we are moving in God’s direction, it’s amazing how much will actually go our way.
The byproduct of fasting is benevolence. The money that we save from avoiding meals can be given to the poor. God provides for our needs through prayer, and then God provides for the poor through our generosity.
When was the last time that you fasted? Have you ever fasted? If you have a physical condition that would be affected by fasting, you need to check with your doctor before attempting a fast. If you determine to fast for a long period of time, it would be good to research fasting and consult your doctor as well.
Try a beginner fast: start the day with breakfast then fast from Noon today until Noon tomorrow. Then, eat dinner on the second day. You are allowed to drink fluids during a fast. Some people stick to water and juice only. Some will add milkshakes and smoothies. The point is not to make this a legalistic exercise. This is also not the place to try out the Bassomatic.
You really won’t understand the benefits of fasting until you have experienced it yourself.
Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/galatians419
To subscribe or leave a comment on the galatians419 devotional blog: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
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