Monday, November 11, 2013

What Shall be Done to Honor? Esther 6:6 - Equipped for Battle

The scene has been set, and King Ahasuerus is looking for someone in his court to honor and reward Mordecai who saved his life. Haman was found in the court, and the king sent for him. Although Haman thought he would have an opportunity to ask the king to hang Mordecai upon his pre-built fifty cubit gallows, in chapter six and verse six we see the king ask him something first. We read:

So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor?

As we use our imaginations to see this in our minds, we may be able to think about Haman walking in with a sense of purpose and expectancy - “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him,...” Little did Haman know what the king had in mind, and although Haman had his personal agenda, it was about to be interrupted by the king's request.

The verse continues, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor?” Suddenly the subject changed in Haman's mind to himself rather than Mordecai. Rather than speak of the plan to execute Mordecai, Haman began to think about “the man whom the king delights to honor?” We can almost imagine Haman's countenance changing from a proud and determined look to an almost gleeful and boastful appearance. The king altered Haman's thought process, and he never knew what was in store for him as he did.

Sometimes things can seem one way when they actually are another. What seems to be an opportunity for us may not turn out the way we planned. Although Haman had his agenda, we learn from him that God had another one in mind. The wonderful part of this story as we plod through it verse by verse is that we get a sense of the control of the Lord all through this story. Although Haman thought he was in control, his circumstances would soon show him that he was not. Let us keep in mind as we ponder this verse that God Almighty may have a different course for us than the one we have in mind. Our best direction is when we understand and are willing to allow the Lord Jesus to have control no matter what we have in mind.

Next time we will see the beginning of Haman's answer to the king, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
 
Until tomorrow...there is more...
 
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.



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