Today's reading: Esther 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; Luke 18
S) "11 Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman also said, 'Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13 Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.'"
Esther 5:11-13 (NASB)
O) Haman was an official of Ahasuerus who had gained such a position that people in public would bow to him in homage, very much like to a king. Mordecai (Esther's uncle, and adopted dad), who also worked fro the king, refused to bow to Haman. As we see in the above verses, Haman had accomplished much. He was wealthy in material things, in influence, and in family. Still, this one man's disrespect, this one man's insult to his ego, was consuming Mordecai. His injured pride would eventually rob him of everything, including his very life.
A) How powerfully different this story would have been, if Haman had been a humble man. This begs the question, what has my pride cost me? Thankfully, it has not cost me my life. That is the grace of God at work, as it easily could have at any point in my history. Mordecai's pride serves as a tragic example, perhaps the most tragic example, of how pride can be insulted and the reaction to that can be ruinous. There are a great many positive reasons for me to humble myself, but a strong reminder of warning is never amiss.
P) Father, You are holy and just, righteous and mighty. I am unworthy to be called Your son. I am unworthy to commune with You. Yet, in Your infinite grace, You snatched me from my pride, You broke my haughty spirit within me. You humbled me, and brought me into new life with You. I will never know the full extent of what my pride, rebellion, and sins cost me. Let this story of Haman's pride, serve as a sobering warning against pride. Let me not be easily offended, or perhaps not even offended at all. Let me be meek and humble enough, that no insult or affront could ever rob me of the blessings You give. You provide for me, every reason for joy. So, let me bear every ridicule, remembering that my Lord also suffered ridicule. Let me bear every insult hurled at me, just as Jesus Christ did. Let me bear everything to Your glory, and for the preservation of my very joy. Let me be humble in every way, and in every way You be lifted up. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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