Daily Reading
Daily Thought
The players in this story include King Ahasuerus of Persia, his queen Esther, her cousin Mordecai, and Haman, the king’s right-hand man. God is behind the scenes, hidden.
Haman hated Mordecai and as the first half of the story closes, “his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.’ This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made” (Esther 5:14).
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. ~Proverbs 19:21
The following verse opens Act Two: “On that night the king could not sleep” (Esther 6:1). This is the author’s whisper: God is up to something. God is not mentioned, but God is not absent. Haman had gallows built fifty cubits high, and you can sense the coming irony. These gallows meant by Haman for righteous Mordecai are meant by God for wicked Haman.
In chapter 2, Mordecai had done a good deed unrewarded, and on that night in chapter 6, “the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king” (Esther 6:1). He asked for the reading of the Chronicles (a cure for insomnia?) and learned how Mordecai had revealed a traitorous plot and rescued the king. Mordacai was summoned and honored, and Haman’s plot was revealed, “so they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai” (Esther 7:10).
The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead. ~Proverbs 11:8
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father, over and over again You remind me, as I sow, so shall I reap. I should live life accordingly. Looking ahead, I shall do today what will produce a good tomorrow. Thank You for teaching me what is right, and for changing my heart so that I now desire Your ways instead of my own, some of the time, at least, and more and more as I make a habit of holiness.
Help me remember always that this world is Your creation and Your design and it works Your way. I enjoy life when I enjoy You and live according to the joy of Your Word.
Amen
Daily Question
How can you make sure your plans are in line with the plans of God?