Esther 3 - 6.9.25
Scripture
Esther 3:2 NIV
“All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.”
Observation
King Xerxes just promoted a man named Haman to be the highest, most powerful noble throughout the entire empire. The king ordered that all his officials would bow down and show respect to Haman every time he passed by. Mordecai though, refused to bow down to Haman. Being of Jewish descent, Mordecai knew that bowing down to anyone but God would be an act of idolatry, a sin against God. Mordecai’s act of defiance infuriates Haman. Haman then plots a way to kill not only Mordecai, but a way to eliminate all the Jewish people throughout the entire empire of King Xerxes.
Application
Be a Christian with strong convictions. Stand up for Jesus!
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”-Matthew 10:28
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”-Matthew 10:32-33
Mordecai could have easily caved in under peer pressure here. I mean the old adage of, “Well everyone else is doing it.”, didn’t even cross his mind. Mordecai was a man with strong convictions. He knew that bowing down to anyone but God was going to be a blatant act of idolatry. It was a sin against God! Mordecai refused to bend at the knees and follow the world’s ways. Instead, Mordecai stood tall for the ways of God.
Now I know in today’s world we can feel that same pressure. Whether it’s at work, or even amongst our own family and friends, we can be afraid to stand up for our faith and what we believe in. We can have that fear of being reprimanded by our boss, or even isolated from our friends because of our faith and beliefs. But take heart! Stand firm on your convictions and beliefs. Be someone, like Mordecai here, who was more concerned about pleasing God, rather than people. Know that we have a reward that awaits us in Heaven because of our faithfulness. Stand up for Jesus!
“But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”-Revelation 2:10b
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the time I cower away from my convictions. Forgive me for being worried more about pleasing people than pleasing You. I pray that you give me the strength and courage to stand firm in my faith for You today. Help me to be a man who is bold in my convictions. Help me to be a man who lives solely to please and honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gadd