Tues.’s Devo - Promotion Day

Read: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24
Esther was given Haman’s estate and Mordecai was given the king’s signet ring that had been reclaimed from Haman. Esther appointed Mordecai the guardian of Haman’s estate.
Once again, Esther went before the king to plead for her people who were destined to die. Xerxes had no idea how to get out of what he had done so he told them to come up with a plan and he would sign it. Mordecai came up with an edict which read that the Jews would be able to defend themselves and kill their enemies. The edict was sent out to every province and there was joy across the kingdom for the Jews.
Mordecai left the palace wearing royal garments and a golden crown. All Susa celebrated.
When the day came, the thirteenth of Adar, the tables were turned and the Jews defeated their enemies and the ten sons of Haman were killed. Everywhere throughout the province the Jews won, but refused to take their plunder even though the edict had given them permission to do so. I think this was very classy of the Jews.
Mordecai made the fourteenth and the fifteenth a national holiday to celebrate annually and called it Purim. The Jews still celebrate this feast today.
Esther’s name means “I will be hidden” and she is a picture of Christ hidden in us. She is exalted in the eyes of the worldly kingdom yet she keeps her identity hidden until it is time to use it for the kingdom. Mordecai’s name means “bitterness of the oppressed”. He is a picture of the believers whose whole life is hard and tough yet in the end they will be exalted and given everything. The book of Esther is a great reminder that one day we will be rewarded for all the suffering of this world and the tables will be turned.
We can experience victories on earth as we walk in the Spirit but our great promotion is waiting in eternity.
Paul lists offices in the body and ministry gifts people are given to help one another but then he gives the way to operate in whatever gift you have and that is through love. Your gift is as powerful as your ability to love. It is the deciding force of whether you are effective or not. Love is the action to your words. Paul tells us what love is and what love is not.
Lord, help us to make love our only goal.