Stepping Out In Faith

How do you respond to crisis?  Have you ever had to step out in faith?  In chapter 7 of Esther, we see her courageously reveals her heritage to save her people.  She then exposes Haman for the evil man that he is.  

In this scripture we are taken to the second feast that Esther has prepared for King Ahasuerus and Haman.  And what a feast it was!  The king again asks Esther what her heart's desire was, that he would grant her wish, because he was so pleased with her.  She responds the following way:

"Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request.  For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” (v. 3-4)

Esther was bold in her request.  She was stepping out in faith.  She believed that God would save her and her people.  She was able to point out to the king the evil deeds of Haman.  It says in Psalm 73:12-13,

"This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence."

Doesn't this describe Haman perfectly?  Are you ever faced with the wicked?  Do you ever feel like the wicked always prospers?  Haman was one of these wicked.  He was elevated into a high position all the while plotting the destruction of the Jewish people.  I'm sure when we feel like others are elevated to positions that we don't deserve because of their wicked doings, that they will never be punished for those deeds.  But, in the end, they will.  It may not be in the time that we think it should happen.  Everything always happens in God's time.  Just as it did with Haman.  

Remember this:  God will honor you when  you boldly do what is right!

Recognition

Have you ever hoped something good would happen, but it didn't turn out how you expected it to? Have you ever done something good and worthy and never received recognition for it?  On the other hand, have you ever unexpectedly received recognition for something good you've done at the expense of someone else's feelings?  That where Esther 6 takes us today.

Now we all know that Haman despised Mordecai.  The king unknowingly set out to destroy the Jews because of one of Haman's devious plots.  The king requests the chronicles of memorable deeds be read.  He notices that Mordecai has not been honored for saving his life.  Haman just happens to be outside the door wanting to talk to the king about sending Mordecai to the gallows when the king decides to honor Mordecai.  He asks Haman's opinion about how to honor someone.  Haman thinks the king wants to honor him.  After Haman tells the king how he wants to be honored, the king tells him to go prepare all that he said for Mordecai.  After Haman does the things that the king requested, it tells us in Esther 6:12 that "Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered."  Now, isn't that funny!  Haman just got his comeuppance.

Can you imagine how Haman felt?  In some ways, I can imagine how Haman felt.  Sometimes we feel like we deserve recognition for the things that we do, but never receive it.  Do you ever feel that way?  Not to fear, when we do things for God and His kingdom, he will reward us.  It may not be in recognition here on earth, but God will reward us in heaven.  Matthew 6:19-21 says, 

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Let us remember to not be like Haman, where our treasures are on this earth.  Let us seek our treasures in heaven.