GPS Guide – January 18, 2019

STRENGTH AND DELIVERANCE

Friday

Read: Esther 3:1-6

“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 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. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” (NIV Esther 3:1-6)

Study: “Why do you disobey the King’s command?” When Mordecai was commanded by the king to bow down to Haman, he refused because Jews were never supposed to bow to anyone other than the one true God. He had been very cautious up to this point when it came to his Jewish beliefs, but this was a moment when he had to make a stand and do what he thought was right. This was a very dangerous move for him to make, not only for his life, but for the life of all the Jews in Persia. There are moments is our life where, despite our wellbeing, we must do what is right. Sometimes this means standing up for what is right in your workplace. Sometimes this means telling someone in power your honest opinion. These things can be risky but sometimes it takes a risky person like Mordecai to do what is right. We must trust that, in the end, God will provide.

Pray: Heavenly Father, I trust that you will provide. Show me how to do what is right even when the stakes are high. Lead me in the difficult times. Amen.