The Source of Joy (Esther 5:9-14 Devotional)

⁹ And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. ¹¹ And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. ¹² Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. ¹³ Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” ¹⁴ Then 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 5:9-14

Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of Amalek, and the Amalek was Israel’s foe. God once commanded King Saul to destroy the Amalek. Mordecai determined not to bow down to this enemy! Three days ago, Mordecai provoked Haman, and he wrote an edict to kill all the Jews! Many Jews knew that Haman was angered by Mordecai, and he plotted to kill all the Jews! Mordecai knew great trouble was coming, but he still did not bow down to the enemies of Israel! He didn’t ask for grace from the enemy! He still firmly trusted in God!

Haman was different. He was happy when he was invited to the feast by the queen, but he was angry because Mordecai still did not bow down to him! His joys and sorrows depended on his circumstances and people. Mordecai’s faith was in the Almighty God!

Haman, with all the glory, was dismayed by Mordecai’s stubbornness!

Mordecai faced all the pressure, even the accusations of the Jews, but he did not back down! Because God was at the center of his life!

The enemy may set traps to hurt us, but we are the Apple of God’s eyes, and no one can hurt us and take us out of God’s hands!

Prayer:

God, please show me whom I believe in, the almighty and all-loving God! Let me not be afraid, worried, and hesitant because of the environment, people, and happenings! Let my faith, joy, and hope rest in you!