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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Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Most Read Posts for February 2011
1. God's Will for Your Life
2. The Key to Reducing Stress
3. You Might Want to Flip the Channel Instead
4. God is Always There for Us
5. God Trumps Strategy Every Time
What was your favorite? Leave your comments at http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading,
Allen White
2. The Key to Reducing Stress
3. You Might Want to Flip the Channel Instead
4. God is Always There for Us
5. God Trumps Strategy Every Time
What was your favorite? Leave your comments at http://galatians419.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading,
Allen White
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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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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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.
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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