God reverses troubles for His Glory not our comfort. In the 12th month, on the 13th day, when the King's command and edict were about to be carried out---on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. And no one, any longer, could stand against the poor Jews.
All because...Esther wept. And she pleaded with all her might to her King "to avert the evil plan of Haman---and the plot that he had devised against the Jews." Esther 8:3. You see, he layed up treasures for himself on earth where thieves steal and moths rot. The kingdom he built is going to someone he hates.
"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. Esther 8:15. It's not the crown that fell from Haman's head that means the most. It's the honor of the hand of God on Mordecai's life and his people---the ones for whom Esther wept. Esther didn't cry for herself when her life was in danger; yet, she wept bitterly for her people.
Where can we find that kind of compassion? Esther had it all going for her---the looks, the position, the luxury, the crown. Esther had far more than that going for her. May we long for this kind of purpose---to live for such a time as this. No matter what.
Esther in the OT. Stephen in the NT.
They both lived a singular life with their eyes on One Goal.
They have fully given themselves to following Christ.
God's saving, sanctifying, and edifying grace is clearly and continuously manifest in their lives.
And the crowning qualification for their position: Wisdom.
Moral, spiritual, practical. ... the hallmarks of life.
PHOTO: It's a new day on our horizon. Thinking of this new day for Mordecai. It could have gone either way. But the crown fell off Haman's head forever. Proverbs 21:1
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