Mon.’s Devo - Be Brave

Read: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 16:1-12; Proverbs;21:21-22
When Mordecai learned of the edict of Haman’s he dressed in sackcloth and went to the king’s gate. He couldn’t go to Esther’s gate because no one could enter the king’s gate in sackcloth. This gives us a small glimpse into the character of Xerxes. He loved gayety and good news but tried to shut out any bad news. He didn’t even know that it was the Jews he had doomed to die during the 12th month. Haman had told him it was a “people”. All the Jews in Susa were mourning and crying in sackcloth and ashes and the king had no idea because he was secure in his ivory palace drinking wine and eating rich food. Esther hadn’t heard either. She could just see her uncle out of her window dressed in sackcloth.
When she did find out what had happened she gave all her excuses why she couldn’t do anything about it. The king, who hated bad news hadn’t asked to see her in 30 days and how could she bring him such a request without it costing her her life.
Mordecai explained that her being in the palace at this crisis might not be such a coincidence and what made her think that she would be saved just because she was the queen…think of Vashti. Esther considered everything and knew what she had to do. She had the Jews of Susa pray and fast for 3 days along with her and her maids. Then she came up with a plan that would speak to the party lover in her husband. She would ask him to a party.
She stood before him with her life in God’s hand and was saved. He agreed to come to her party. She asked that Haman also come. They attended Esther’s banquet but she asked for one more day before she would give her request. Haman was honored and happy until he walked home and passed Mordecai who refused to bow before him. He went home and built a gallows in his own land 75 feet tall to hang Mordecai on.
That night the king couldn’t sleep so he asked his attendant to bring the book of the record of his reign in and read it to him. He read the part where Mordecai saved his life and asked how they had rewarded him for his intel. They said nothing had been done.
The next day, the king let Haman choose the way Mordecai would be honored even though he thought it was him that was to be honored. He had to use his own idea for Mordecai. His life was slowly being sifted like sand in a seive. He went home humiliated and his own friends and family spoke his fate.
At the banquet that night, Esther gave her request because all the pieces were in place. The king had been reminded about Mordecai’s loyalty and he knew he was a Jew. He had also been reminded of Esther’s beauty and faithfulness to him. He had been betrayed too many times in his kingship to have much trust so the moment Haman was exposed, Xerxes was ready to act. Haman was hung on his own gallows. Haman was a type of Satan and that will be the fate of Satan’s in the end.
In Corinthians, Paul explained the many gifts God has given in the Church as body parts. They are all needed and important but not all looked at with the same honor. Some are hidden functions like intercessors and people who work behind the scenes. Some are very focal and up front. Our attitude should be the same for all of them. We need each other and the parts that each of us bring to the table. We all move out of the same Spirit.
Lord, help us to be brave and stand up when we need to make a statement. May we use our gifts for the Body and honor one another’s gifts. Help us move as one Body.