GPS Guide – January 29, 2019

IN THE BACKGROUND

Tuesday

Read: Esther 6

“1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. ² It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. ³ “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. ⁴ The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. ⁵ His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. ⁶ When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” ⁷ So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, ⁸ have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.⁹ Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” ¹⁰ “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” ¹¹ So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” ¹² Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, ¹³ and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” ¹⁴ While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. (NIV Esther 6:1-14)

Study: Following God was not easy for Esther and Mordecai. As we saw yesterday, all Mordecai got for following God was death for himself and his people. Any person in their right mind would have cursed that God and agreed to bow to Xerxes and Haman but Mordecai stayed true to his Jewish identity. What we can learn from Mordecai’s patience is that good things come from good deeds in time. Mordecai must have felt like his deeds were in vain but, because he trusted God, he was eventually rewarded. Some people are rewarded in this life and some are not. It is our duty to trust in God’s timing and not our own. Let us remember that this week when things get tough.

Pray: Almighty God, even when I feel alone, I know you are there. Give me the internal strength to wait when I want answers now. You will provide. Amen.