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I am sure, like me, you’ve had times in your life when things look like they are going to get difficult . Times when you look at the future and you become concerned. You look ahead with confusion and distress and don’t know where to start to make improve things. The way ahead looks hard, there are obstacles to navigate, and plenty to pray about as you are coming into a season of being stretched.
It doesn’t really matter what the circumstances are, it could be; a work situation, a family issue, financial difficulties, illness or a whole multitude of other things. The fact remains though that you are contemplating the impact of whatever it is on your life, and you’re not sure what you can do to navigate this season well, you don’t know how to get the answers or solutions you need or maybe even the resources.
What do you do then?
When your life looks uncertain and you are worried, what do you do? These times certainly test our faith!
As a family, we have had a lot of change recently, there have been a lot of things that have happened. Some we have been in control of, others we haven’t, some have been expected, some events came out of the blue. A lot has occurred for our circumstances to change even in the last month.
A few of these circumstances caught my attention because of the long-term implications and the insurmountable solutions required. Looking at the future concerned me, and made me feel sad. I could not see how things could improve - So, what can I do?
The only thing I could - pray
When I say I pray, I admit that I haven’t spent hours in prayer, but I have let God know my worries, my thoughts and feelings, my hopes and ideas. I have spent time telling God what I could see was going on and I have asked Him to intervene. You see, God cares about the big and small worries of my life, and He cares about yours too. He likes us to admit how we are doing and for us to let him know how we are responding to these things. Some of you reading this may not have batted an eyelid to the things that have caused me concern, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how others perceive our situations because they are not the ones having to deal with it and having to work out their faith in it. We each have our own situations and concerns to manage and walk through in life, and we are responsible for how we handle and respond to the circumstances in our own lives.
So, I prayed. I told God how I was doing, how I had seen others respond, I asked Him how I should react, is there something I need to do God? I have also let God know I am really upset, disappointed, worried, scared, annoyed even. I have prayed for others involved, I pray for wisdom, for His love to be demonstrated. I pray for better to come. I pray and trust that God can and will transform what doesn’t seem good or helpful into something great and I continue to pray.
Do you know, as I have prayed about these situations, I have noticed God working. God has, in small ways, showed me that He is listening. The circumstances are no different, things have not been magically restored or repaired, but I have seen things from a new angle, and I have seen God provide in small ways. Would I have noticed such Godly intervention if I hadn’t been praying I wonder?
The circumstances have not been radically transformed, but I have seen small things that have and will make a huge difference. Some of these blessings may be temporary, but they show the presence, power and protection of God. It reminds me of the following verse;
Zecahriah 4:10; ‘Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin’.
I have seen, ’small beginnings’ of hope entering these situations. It gives me such gratitude that God would take the time to intervene, to show that he is aware of what is going on, that He is present and active even when things seem distressing and difficult. I love how this verse says that God, ‘rejoices to see the work begin’. God likes to bring about new things in our lives. Sometimes that means we will encounter difficult times, but God will show His presence - are you praying and preparing to hear from Him?
When you pray about something do you look out for the ‘small beginnings’? The little incidences that occur that aren’t the full answer, but show that God is on it? How awesome is it that we have a God who cares enough about us to remind us He is there and in charge?! I am grateful that I prayed, if I hadn’t I may of missed the small beginnings of the life changes that are going to follow. I have not seen the full picture yet, I do not know the far-reaching consequences of what is occurring, but God has renewed my confidence and invigorated my faith by stepping in to show He is in these problems.
So, today, if something is bothering you, don’t dismiss praying for it. Nothing is too big or small for God to intervene. It may be too big or small for you, but not for God. Once you’ve prayed, keep praying and be ready for the ‘small beginnings’ that will come. God rejoices in them, you should too. Be assured that God is at work. God will show His presence - are you looking for it?
Thursday 30 January 2020
Thursday 23 January 2020
Who is Jesus?
Just from the opening lines of Hebrews, we can see the richness of who Jesus is. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are the things we can pick out from the very start of this book in Hebrews 1:1-4:
Jesus is;
God’s son
Appointed
Heir of all things
Creator
Radiant
Glory of God
Exact imprint
Upholder of the universe
Powerful
Purifier
Majestic
Superior to angels
Excellent
Number 1, Jesus is God’s son. A son has a duty to follow his father, to reflect who his father is and carry out the father’s work and continue his reputation. It carries a responsibility and expectation that seeing the son means you see aspects of the father. As a result of Jesus’ sonship, many of the following attributes listed can be ascribed - like the fact that Jesus has been appointed by the father.
The appointment Jesus received means he has been; given authority, entrusted and ordained. Jesus not only carries the Father’s attributes, as the consequence of being God’s son, but he has also been commissioned. Jesus has work to do.
For Jesus, the job he was commissioned with was no easy task. His duty was to draw God and people together again. To bridge the gap between divinity and unsacred man. To breach the wide chasm of the holy, pure God, and sinful mankind. What a job! His father entrusted him to carry out this task, knowing that Jesus is the only one able to do it. No-one else bears the; characteristics, capabilities or commission to achieve this task. No-one can work hard enough, try hard enough or be enough to reach God without Jesus. God knew Jesus could and would do what was required. He knew Jesus carried the weight of sonship and his appointment. Only Jesus could bridge the gap, even if it would result in torture, abandonment and death.
Doesn’t that sound strange?
The fact that although Jesus is, ‘the heir of all things’, he suffered. He bled, he died, he felt pain and loneliness. Jesus - the one who deserves complete honour, respect and adoration, the one who owns all of creation, the one who has unlimited power - was still living under duty and obedience!
Jesus has all power and authority, possession of the whole universe, yet he acknowledges and accepts the will of the father. Jesus still did things he didn’t want to do, he still acted in obedience even though all of creation can’t exist without him - What a contrast! A powerful, mighty, creator, and an obedient, loving, sacrificial son.
Jesus not only demonstrates his power through mighty works, miracles or creation, but he also displays incredible power through his obedience, sacrifice and forgiveness. No wonder that God’s glory is demonstrated in him!
God’s presence is perceived and felt when Jesus is present - the beauty, perfection, wonder and magnificence of God is shown through Jesus. Many people who met him know he was different, the people, the outsiders, those in power and authority, even the religious people realised Jesus was different - there was no denying it. No-one could quite pinpoint his ‘otherness’, but it was clear that he was different to all other people. That must of been because he showed the glory of God - no-one had seen or experienced it before. It was weird and different, inspiring and scary. Jesus could show the glory of God because he is, ‘the exact imprint’ of God. Jesus is an exact reflection of God, not a fake or a cheap alternative, but the genuine article - 100% God. Total holiness, power, goodness and righteousness walking the Earth. Jesus showed who God is all the time. He, as the; son, anointed, heir, creator, imprint and glory of God, is also the one who, ‘upholds the universe by the word of his power’. Wow! Not only was Jesus involved in creation, but this phrase shows that Jesus is continually sustaining creation. Jesus is interested and invested the continuance of what He has made, and still works to uphold his creation. He is just as interested and invested in your life now as he ever was - are you as interested and invested in him?
So, to recap - Jesus is God’s son, 100%, He has authority and power. He was around at the beginning of the universe, and he is still involved in it’s functioning. So how does this effect us?
The very next phrase answers this as Jesus has made, ‘purification for sins’. Not through some ritual, but this obedient son of God, this 100% God-man, the anointed creator made it possible for us to be cleansed and restored relationship with God. He did this through love. He loves God and us more than himself, so this powerful and majestic Jesus gave up all he had in order to give you the chance to know freedom from all you’ve done wrong. Jesus is not a distant eternal entity, but completely invested in all that he has made, and that includes you. He is so invested in fact that he willingly gave himself over to be beaten, tortured, disowned and separated from his Father in order to give you the opportunity to see his Father. Jesus was killed because he wanted you to know something of the purity he knows. To give you the chance to know the Father he knows. You don’t have to live anymore with the stigma or reputation of your wrongs if you accept that Jesus has got it covered. He took all your punishment to allow you to walk free. Are you?
Then, after Jesus had completed the job, just to make sure that we realise the awesomeness of who Jesus is - he goes and sits on the heavenly royal throne, right next to his Father!
Jesus now sits in heaven, in his rightful place. Surrounded by heavenly beings and angels whom he is greater than.
People can have an awe about angels, we hear accounts of people meeting them, both past and present and we are impressed and probably a little jealous! Yet, these heavenly creatures, these messengers, protectors who sit in the presence of God are much less than Jesus. Jesus is, ‘much superior’ and ‘more excellent’ than they. Let us treat with reverence and awe the name of Jesus as those in heaven do. Let us be more inspired by Jesus than we are by anything else.
So, today, consider the power of the name of Jesus, what does he mean to you? What should he mean to you? How does your acknowledgment of who he is effect your life?
Jesus is;
God’s son
Appointed
Heir of all things
Creator
Radiant
Glory of God
Exact imprint
Upholder of the universe
Powerful
Purifier
Majestic
Superior to angels
Excellent
Number 1, Jesus is God’s son. A son has a duty to follow his father, to reflect who his father is and carry out the father’s work and continue his reputation. It carries a responsibility and expectation that seeing the son means you see aspects of the father. As a result of Jesus’ sonship, many of the following attributes listed can be ascribed - like the fact that Jesus has been appointed by the father.
The appointment Jesus received means he has been; given authority, entrusted and ordained. Jesus not only carries the Father’s attributes, as the consequence of being God’s son, but he has also been commissioned. Jesus has work to do.
For Jesus, the job he was commissioned with was no easy task. His duty was to draw God and people together again. To bridge the gap between divinity and unsacred man. To breach the wide chasm of the holy, pure God, and sinful mankind. What a job! His father entrusted him to carry out this task, knowing that Jesus is the only one able to do it. No-one else bears the; characteristics, capabilities or commission to achieve this task. No-one can work hard enough, try hard enough or be enough to reach God without Jesus. God knew Jesus could and would do what was required. He knew Jesus carried the weight of sonship and his appointment. Only Jesus could bridge the gap, even if it would result in torture, abandonment and death.
Doesn’t that sound strange?
The fact that although Jesus is, ‘the heir of all things’, he suffered. He bled, he died, he felt pain and loneliness. Jesus - the one who deserves complete honour, respect and adoration, the one who owns all of creation, the one who has unlimited power - was still living under duty and obedience!
Jesus has all power and authority, possession of the whole universe, yet he acknowledges and accepts the will of the father. Jesus still did things he didn’t want to do, he still acted in obedience even though all of creation can’t exist without him - What a contrast! A powerful, mighty, creator, and an obedient, loving, sacrificial son.
Jesus not only demonstrates his power through mighty works, miracles or creation, but he also displays incredible power through his obedience, sacrifice and forgiveness. No wonder that God’s glory is demonstrated in him!
God’s presence is perceived and felt when Jesus is present - the beauty, perfection, wonder and magnificence of God is shown through Jesus. Many people who met him know he was different, the people, the outsiders, those in power and authority, even the religious people realised Jesus was different - there was no denying it. No-one could quite pinpoint his ‘otherness’, but it was clear that he was different to all other people. That must of been because he showed the glory of God - no-one had seen or experienced it before. It was weird and different, inspiring and scary. Jesus could show the glory of God because he is, ‘the exact imprint’ of God. Jesus is an exact reflection of God, not a fake or a cheap alternative, but the genuine article - 100% God. Total holiness, power, goodness and righteousness walking the Earth. Jesus showed who God is all the time. He, as the; son, anointed, heir, creator, imprint and glory of God, is also the one who, ‘upholds the universe by the word of his power’. Wow! Not only was Jesus involved in creation, but this phrase shows that Jesus is continually sustaining creation. Jesus is interested and invested the continuance of what He has made, and still works to uphold his creation. He is just as interested and invested in your life now as he ever was - are you as interested and invested in him?
So, to recap - Jesus is God’s son, 100%, He has authority and power. He was around at the beginning of the universe, and he is still involved in it’s functioning. So how does this effect us?
The very next phrase answers this as Jesus has made, ‘purification for sins’. Not through some ritual, but this obedient son of God, this 100% God-man, the anointed creator made it possible for us to be cleansed and restored relationship with God. He did this through love. He loves God and us more than himself, so this powerful and majestic Jesus gave up all he had in order to give you the chance to know freedom from all you’ve done wrong. Jesus is not a distant eternal entity, but completely invested in all that he has made, and that includes you. He is so invested in fact that he willingly gave himself over to be beaten, tortured, disowned and separated from his Father in order to give you the opportunity to see his Father. Jesus was killed because he wanted you to know something of the purity he knows. To give you the chance to know the Father he knows. You don’t have to live anymore with the stigma or reputation of your wrongs if you accept that Jesus has got it covered. He took all your punishment to allow you to walk free. Are you?
Then, after Jesus had completed the job, just to make sure that we realise the awesomeness of who Jesus is - he goes and sits on the heavenly royal throne, right next to his Father!
Jesus now sits in heaven, in his rightful place. Surrounded by heavenly beings and angels whom he is greater than.
People can have an awe about angels, we hear accounts of people meeting them, both past and present and we are impressed and probably a little jealous! Yet, these heavenly creatures, these messengers, protectors who sit in the presence of God are much less than Jesus. Jesus is, ‘much superior’ and ‘more excellent’ than they. Let us treat with reverence and awe the name of Jesus as those in heaven do. Let us be more inspired by Jesus than we are by anything else.
So, today, consider the power of the name of Jesus, what does he mean to you? What should he mean to you? How does your acknowledgment of who he is effect your life?
Thursday 16 January 2020
Days of Remembrance
Do you have special days of remembrance?
The Jews, in Esther, created a new day of remembrance. They decide to set aside the day, every year, to recall the wondrous deliverance that God had brought about for them. A day to celebrate, give gifts and remember the poor. A day to remember that they had been delivered from death and given a new opportunity for life.
The Jews deliberately made an effort from this time forth to celebrate their deliverance from annihilation. Mordecai and Esther even established this holiday through a written letter of encouragement to all the Jews officially dedicating this day as one of celebration known as Purim. This day is an annual recollection, it is still a celebrated feast today. The nation has upheld it’s identity and continues to mark the day of deliverance.
This isn’t the Jews only day of remembrance either, they also have Passover, Hannukah and Yom Kippur to name a few, they have other important times of celebration too. The Jews are very good at celebrating. They are good at remembering, setting aside time to recall major triumphs in faith. They purposefully put dates in their diary to recall the times they have seen God at work in their lives. Do you?
Do you set aside any time in your year when you celebrate what God has done in your life? An annual commemoration? No wonder the Jews are fervent in their faith when they make time to rejoice in the breakthroughs of times past and can relate this to their own lives. They take time out of their busy lives to celebrate, not just what God has done for them personally, but they look wider and further to see what God has always been up to. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. By looking back and commemorating what God has done before brings confidence in what God is doing now and will do in the future.
Do you celebrate? Do you have significant highlights in your life, your town, your church, your nation that you should be commemorating?
How can you set aside time to recollect God’s hand in your life and the life of the church?
As a family, we have a couple of specific days that we celebrate. We set aside time to recall the days when our children became part of our family. We always make a point of doing something different and make sure we; share memories, reflect on how things have changed, discuss the highlights, the adventures, funny things that have happened and even how we ourselves have changed. I love hearing our kids stories and their memories. They are so precious. It helps me know our children better, what they value. It is an important opportunity for us all to talk to each other and acknowledge what we have and how far we have come. It does something to build relationship, and it puts extra joy in our hearts, it raises our hopes and expectations and helps us to see the work God has been doing. As a parent, it does my heart good to all get together and celebrate, as a child don’t you think it raises their hopes? Think about how God feels when we set aside to celebrate Him. As an imperfect parent I value the memories of my children, the strengths and aspirations they share, how much more so would God value the time we choose to spend commemorating Him and all the work He has been up to? Then imagine the faith it will build in yourself.
I think the Jewish customs of celebration, of marking key events in their history is important. It causes them to remember, to realign their vision, to reassess their values and regard the greatness of God, not just in theory, but in reality. How would your faith, your life change if you too set important dates of remembrance in your calendar?
We all have stories, we all have adventures of faith, we all have breakthroughs. How can you commemorate the successes of your life?
The Jews, in Esther, created a new day of remembrance. They decide to set aside the day, every year, to recall the wondrous deliverance that God had brought about for them. A day to celebrate, give gifts and remember the poor. A day to remember that they had been delivered from death and given a new opportunity for life.
The Jews deliberately made an effort from this time forth to celebrate their deliverance from annihilation. Mordecai and Esther even established this holiday through a written letter of encouragement to all the Jews officially dedicating this day as one of celebration known as Purim. This day is an annual recollection, it is still a celebrated feast today. The nation has upheld it’s identity and continues to mark the day of deliverance.
This isn’t the Jews only day of remembrance either, they also have Passover, Hannukah and Yom Kippur to name a few, they have other important times of celebration too. The Jews are very good at celebrating. They are good at remembering, setting aside time to recall major triumphs in faith. They purposefully put dates in their diary to recall the times they have seen God at work in their lives. Do you?
Do you set aside any time in your year when you celebrate what God has done in your life? An annual commemoration? No wonder the Jews are fervent in their faith when they make time to rejoice in the breakthroughs of times past and can relate this to their own lives. They take time out of their busy lives to celebrate, not just what God has done for them personally, but they look wider and further to see what God has always been up to. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. By looking back and commemorating what God has done before brings confidence in what God is doing now and will do in the future.
Do you celebrate? Do you have significant highlights in your life, your town, your church, your nation that you should be commemorating?
How can you set aside time to recollect God’s hand in your life and the life of the church?
As a family, we have a couple of specific days that we celebrate. We set aside time to recall the days when our children became part of our family. We always make a point of doing something different and make sure we; share memories, reflect on how things have changed, discuss the highlights, the adventures, funny things that have happened and even how we ourselves have changed. I love hearing our kids stories and their memories. They are so precious. It helps me know our children better, what they value. It is an important opportunity for us all to talk to each other and acknowledge what we have and how far we have come. It does something to build relationship, and it puts extra joy in our hearts, it raises our hopes and expectations and helps us to see the work God has been doing. As a parent, it does my heart good to all get together and celebrate, as a child don’t you think it raises their hopes? Think about how God feels when we set aside to celebrate Him. As an imperfect parent I value the memories of my children, the strengths and aspirations they share, how much more so would God value the time we choose to spend commemorating Him and all the work He has been up to? Then imagine the faith it will build in yourself.
I think the Jewish customs of celebration, of marking key events in their history is important. It causes them to remember, to realign their vision, to reassess their values and regard the greatness of God, not just in theory, but in reality. How would your faith, your life change if you too set important dates of remembrance in your calendar?
We all have stories, we all have adventures of faith, we all have breakthroughs. How can you commemorate the successes of your life?
Wednesday 8 January 2020
Change of circumstances
When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. *2*He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. *3*And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4:1–3.
15*Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. *16*The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honour. *17*And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Esther 8:15–17.
Grief, lament, bitter cries, mourning, fasting, weeping, sackcloth and ashes transformed into; royal robes, golden crown, shouting, rejoicing, lightness, gladness, joy, honour, feasting, a holiday.
How does that happen?
In the matter of a few months, the lives of the Jewish people was radically transformed. They were awarded life when the previous sentence over them had been death. How did such a complete change of circumstances occur?
Well, let's consider the people concerned - the Jews. Despite the edict of death being pronounced over them, they continued to faithfully live their lives even though stricken by grief. They lived with the perpetual fear of annihilation, yet they lived nobly. They maintained their faith and their culture and they leaned on their God. Eventhough death had been pronounced over the whole people group, they continued to live responsibly and faithfully. They knew their fate was sealed, a kings edict - unrevokable. They knew the future looked like a complete wiping out of their nation. So, what was their response? They lived righteously and they fasted and prayed. They knew they had little power or influence to change the circumstances, so they did the little they could, and they handed their fate and faith over to their God. They poured out their hearts, they appealed to God for rescue, then they got on with life - what else could they do?
Even with a death sentence over their heads, the Jews; went to work, played with their kids, tidied their homes - normal everyday stuff. They got on with living eventhough their hearts were full of grief. They kept going. They did not know how this was going to all work out, they were probably were more certain of their death than deliverance, yet they continued their lives of obedience. They sought God and they carried on.
Do you do the same when you encounter a change of circumstance? when you are faced with paining suffering?
Even when your life is threatened, your situation hopeless, do you hold on to your faith? Do you realise that if all else is against you, there is One who isn’t? Do you, as the Jews did turn to God, pray, weep and fast?
What is your first response in tragedy?
This year, I want to take a leaf out of the Jews book. Their immediate response to devastating news was to pray and fast. They dint tell all their friends about it, they didn't hide, they faced the situation with the only one who cold have any influence. They had to live in the uncertainty, in the tragedy for a while, but God delivered in a mighty way - look at the celebration, how their mourning was turned into dancing. Times of fasting turned to feasting, mourning turned into shouts of joy. The Jews did not hide from their chase in circumstances, they took into account their emotions, they got on with life and they fell on God, and God provided a greater day of celebration than if the change of circumstances had never occurred. God gave life where there was death pronounced. The Jews had to live through it first though, they demonstrated faith and obedience and trust in God. Do you do the same when your circumstances change?
Esther 4:1–3.
15*Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. *16*The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honour. *17*And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Esther 8:15–17.
Grief, lament, bitter cries, mourning, fasting, weeping, sackcloth and ashes transformed into; royal robes, golden crown, shouting, rejoicing, lightness, gladness, joy, honour, feasting, a holiday.
How does that happen?
In the matter of a few months, the lives of the Jewish people was radically transformed. They were awarded life when the previous sentence over them had been death. How did such a complete change of circumstances occur?
Well, let's consider the people concerned - the Jews. Despite the edict of death being pronounced over them, they continued to faithfully live their lives even though stricken by grief. They lived with the perpetual fear of annihilation, yet they lived nobly. They maintained their faith and their culture and they leaned on their God. Eventhough death had been pronounced over the whole people group, they continued to live responsibly and faithfully. They knew their fate was sealed, a kings edict - unrevokable. They knew the future looked like a complete wiping out of their nation. So, what was their response? They lived righteously and they fasted and prayed. They knew they had little power or influence to change the circumstances, so they did the little they could, and they handed their fate and faith over to their God. They poured out their hearts, they appealed to God for rescue, then they got on with life - what else could they do?
Even with a death sentence over their heads, the Jews; went to work, played with their kids, tidied their homes - normal everyday stuff. They got on with living eventhough their hearts were full of grief. They kept going. They did not know how this was going to all work out, they were probably were more certain of their death than deliverance, yet they continued their lives of obedience. They sought God and they carried on.
Do you do the same when you encounter a change of circumstance? when you are faced with paining suffering?
Even when your life is threatened, your situation hopeless, do you hold on to your faith? Do you realise that if all else is against you, there is One who isn’t? Do you, as the Jews did turn to God, pray, weep and fast?
What is your first response in tragedy?
This year, I want to take a leaf out of the Jews book. Their immediate response to devastating news was to pray and fast. They dint tell all their friends about it, they didn't hide, they faced the situation with the only one who cold have any influence. They had to live in the uncertainty, in the tragedy for a while, but God delivered in a mighty way - look at the celebration, how their mourning was turned into dancing. Times of fasting turned to feasting, mourning turned into shouts of joy. The Jews did not hide from their chase in circumstances, they took into account their emotions, they got on with life and they fell on God, and God provided a greater day of celebration than if the change of circumstances had never occurred. God gave life where there was death pronounced. The Jews had to live through it first though, they demonstrated faith and obedience and trust in God. Do you do the same when your circumstances change?
Wednesday 1 January 2020
who to trust?
Throughout Esther, we see the king give his trust to three people; Haman, Mordecai and Esther. Yet, how do these people gain this position and influence in the king’s life?
Haman won favour by being a good, ruthless warrior. He was a successful soldier. A king doesn't notice everyone in his army, so there must of been something about Haman that stood out. He must of achieved fantastic feats in order for the king to even know his name let alone put him into a position of honour and trust. Haman’s succession to second-in-command seems to be purely based on his strategic advances and battlefield skills. The king probably considered that as this Haman is fighting so hard for the kingdom, he must really care about it and it’s leader - a logical summation. Haman was championed and rewarded for his success, so he gained greater favour and greater trust with the king, until he became the right-hand man. Haman then had the king’s ear and could influence decisions that effected the whole kingdom. Haman, to the king seemed trustworthy, he worked and fought hard, why would he do that unless he was really invested? He grew in confidence and in favour with the king as he worked his way up, and he worked his way into the king's trust.
Then there’s Mordecai. Once overlooked, he gradually becomes noticed when his previous deeds are suddenly recalled. It is then that the true status of the man as a loyal defender of the throne is revealed. He has, for years, continued living in obscurity as a loyal scribe. All the while he has maintained his character and continued to faithfully live and work, unknown by name to the majority within the palace. Then he is propelled into centre-stage of palace life! Suddenly he is remembered from some past effort, and accelerated into the place of greatest trust with the king. The king comes to recognise that this man has demonstrated confidence, loyalty and patience in his kingdom. He has faithfully served the kingdom without a murmur of discontent, even though he’s been overlooked. The king comes to understand that this is man worthy of great trust. Haman had worked hard for years obtain it, yet Mordecai had just worked faithfully for years, unseen and unknown by many, when suddenly the king discovers the commitment of this very man to his kingdom, and his very life. The king turns from not knowing his name, to propelling Mordecai into second-in-command, the position of greatest trust in the kingdom. Mordecai was a faithful fellow, minding his own business, doing his best in life to do the right things although often overlooked, he was respected by the people (so don't be afraid if your acts of kindness or faithfulness are overlooked, the King above sees them all.)
Lastly, we consider Esther. She gained her position of trust with the king through a type of beauty contest. She had to compete with many women to satisfy the king and be noticed by him. It was then she was chosen as a wife, a position of some trust, but she had to depend on the king’s desire to see her before she could even speak to him. She had to depend on his satisfaction in her in order to win any opportunity to even approach him. We may think the value and position of a wife is one of great trust, but Esther had to use all her feminine wiles in order to even get to speak to the king. She had to prepare feasts and wine, entertainment and conversation in order to even be heard. Yet, at the time of Haman’s deception becoming revealed, she too is propelled into a position of trust, just like Mordecai. The king realises his own regard for her, his desire to protect her, and she gains trust to equally share the task of protecting the Jews alongside Mordecai. She is moved from merely existing in the palace to a place of prominence. She gains the king’s trust, because she is wise in how she approaches the king. She worked towards his interests and worked to win his favour. She put the desires of the king before she presented her own.
So, how does the king determine whom he trusts? It must be hard to decipher who is genuine when you’re royalty. Many will just ‘suck up’ because they want the power, influence and gifts of being in your favour. It must of been hard for Ahasuerus. How could he determine if Haman or Mordecai, or even Esther weren’t after their own agendas rather than his interest? He must of been swamped with do-gooders, with those that seemed keen to please him, but many probably did it out of fear, or for their own promotion. Who is genuinely interested in the king?
I would imagine many reading this would wonder about the relevance to their own lives, as how many of you are kings and queens?!
Yet, it does challenge unto look at those we place in positions of trust in our lives. Who occupies your time and who do you speak to about the condition of your heart and circumstances? Who are you in relationship with that you can trust?Are there unseen, faithful people that you overlook? Are their Mordecai's that you barely pay attention to but are always there for you? who have stood the test of time and have shown their faithfulness time and again? Maybe this year is a time to start to show your appreciation of them. Are there any Haman's that are about their own thing that maybe you need to draw away from? Do you have any Esther's that show genuine friendship by really knowing how to put a smile on your face? Maybe this New Year is a time to reflect on your relationships. Who are those you should be appreciating? Who is worthy of your trust?
Banish the Haman's, Appreiate the Mordecais and enjoy the Esthers.
Haman won favour by being a good, ruthless warrior. He was a successful soldier. A king doesn't notice everyone in his army, so there must of been something about Haman that stood out. He must of achieved fantastic feats in order for the king to even know his name let alone put him into a position of honour and trust. Haman’s succession to second-in-command seems to be purely based on his strategic advances and battlefield skills. The king probably considered that as this Haman is fighting so hard for the kingdom, he must really care about it and it’s leader - a logical summation. Haman was championed and rewarded for his success, so he gained greater favour and greater trust with the king, until he became the right-hand man. Haman then had the king’s ear and could influence decisions that effected the whole kingdom. Haman, to the king seemed trustworthy, he worked and fought hard, why would he do that unless he was really invested? He grew in confidence and in favour with the king as he worked his way up, and he worked his way into the king's trust.
Then there’s Mordecai. Once overlooked, he gradually becomes noticed when his previous deeds are suddenly recalled. It is then that the true status of the man as a loyal defender of the throne is revealed. He has, for years, continued living in obscurity as a loyal scribe. All the while he has maintained his character and continued to faithfully live and work, unknown by name to the majority within the palace. Then he is propelled into centre-stage of palace life! Suddenly he is remembered from some past effort, and accelerated into the place of greatest trust with the king. The king comes to recognise that this man has demonstrated confidence, loyalty and patience in his kingdom. He has faithfully served the kingdom without a murmur of discontent, even though he’s been overlooked. The king comes to understand that this is man worthy of great trust. Haman had worked hard for years obtain it, yet Mordecai had just worked faithfully for years, unseen and unknown by many, when suddenly the king discovers the commitment of this very man to his kingdom, and his very life. The king turns from not knowing his name, to propelling Mordecai into second-in-command, the position of greatest trust in the kingdom. Mordecai was a faithful fellow, minding his own business, doing his best in life to do the right things although often overlooked, he was respected by the people (so don't be afraid if your acts of kindness or faithfulness are overlooked, the King above sees them all.)
Lastly, we consider Esther. She gained her position of trust with the king through a type of beauty contest. She had to compete with many women to satisfy the king and be noticed by him. It was then she was chosen as a wife, a position of some trust, but she had to depend on the king’s desire to see her before she could even speak to him. She had to depend on his satisfaction in her in order to win any opportunity to even approach him. We may think the value and position of a wife is one of great trust, but Esther had to use all her feminine wiles in order to even get to speak to the king. She had to prepare feasts and wine, entertainment and conversation in order to even be heard. Yet, at the time of Haman’s deception becoming revealed, she too is propelled into a position of trust, just like Mordecai. The king realises his own regard for her, his desire to protect her, and she gains trust to equally share the task of protecting the Jews alongside Mordecai. She is moved from merely existing in the palace to a place of prominence. She gains the king’s trust, because she is wise in how she approaches the king. She worked towards his interests and worked to win his favour. She put the desires of the king before she presented her own.
So, how does the king determine whom he trusts? It must be hard to decipher who is genuine when you’re royalty. Many will just ‘suck up’ because they want the power, influence and gifts of being in your favour. It must of been hard for Ahasuerus. How could he determine if Haman or Mordecai, or even Esther weren’t after their own agendas rather than his interest? He must of been swamped with do-gooders, with those that seemed keen to please him, but many probably did it out of fear, or for their own promotion. Who is genuinely interested in the king?
I would imagine many reading this would wonder about the relevance to their own lives, as how many of you are kings and queens?!
Yet, it does challenge unto look at those we place in positions of trust in our lives. Who occupies your time and who do you speak to about the condition of your heart and circumstances? Who are you in relationship with that you can trust?Are there unseen, faithful people that you overlook? Are their Mordecai's that you barely pay attention to but are always there for you? who have stood the test of time and have shown their faithfulness time and again? Maybe this year is a time to start to show your appreciation of them. Are there any Haman's that are about their own thing that maybe you need to draw away from? Do you have any Esther's that show genuine friendship by really knowing how to put a smile on your face? Maybe this New Year is a time to reflect on your relationships. Who are those you should be appreciating? Who is worthy of your trust?
Banish the Haman's, Appreiate the Mordecais and enjoy the Esthers.
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