Friday, December 30, 2016

Esther 5

 Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king.  Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” vv.12-13

Read chapter 5
People say women are extremely emotional- check out Haman in this chapter.  We keep seeing him from one emotion to the next.  At one point he's high on life after having been invited twice by Queen Esther to be at her banquet with the king and then the next second he's mad and filled with hatred when Mordecai doesnt bow to him (v.9).  Now Haman's back at home and very joyful, or should we say very prideful, as he boast about how great he is to his family and friends.  This also shows his insecurity, Haman is name dropping and finding his identity in human applause.  But then flips to unhappiness and bitterness as long as Moredecai is alive and in a place of position at the King's gate.  All this emotional up and down is all based on how people treat him and external circumstances.   Bible Teacher Nancy Leigh DeMoss says, "He's at the mercy of how people treat him...That’s not the way God intends us to live. I’ll say that when your life and your heart and your mind are not grounded in the sovereignty and the ways of God, you’re emotions will be subject to whatever happens next in your life. Your emotions will be subject to whatever happens next in your day, whatever happens next in your life, whatever circumstances come into your life."  Despite all this great stuff in his life (his job, his wealth, his honor) the object of his bitterness is controlling him.  He can't enjoy the good things in life because he's so focused on the negative.  
What negative situations, people, things in your life are you focusing on and not able to enjoy the blessings in your life?  How can you turn that around?  How do you relate to Haman's pride or insecurity of your emotions being led by how people treat you?  How can you be emotionally grounded in God instead?

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