"Happiness depends on what happens," I have heard some say, and often this is true. Feelings are useful but are also fickle. One moment we can be happy and carefree, and the next we can feel the weight of the world upon us. An example of this phenomenon is seen in Haman after he was invited by the queen to a special banquet with the king. He had not only enjoyed the hospitality and company of the king and queen, but he had a banquet the following day to look forward to. It seemed everything was right in the world.
Esther 5:9 reads, "So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai." Haman was in a great mood because the privilege afforded him, but the sight of Mordecai sitting there filled him with anger. All the happy feelings were gone in an instant because one man was sitting when Haman wanted him to stand in respect. How amazing is this! After calling his family and friends Esther 5:11-13 says what happened next: "Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 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. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
Haman had all the wealth, fame, power, prestige, and relationships one could hope for, yet he felt all his possessions and honour were nothing because one person refused to do what he wanted. Haman could not perceive it, but it was not Mordecai who robbed him of any glory or honour: it was his own pride which defrauded God. In robbing God of glory by demanding honour for self, Haman experienced deep dissatisfaction. A mistake Haman made was thinking he would feel better if he was rid of the sight of Mordecai and all the Jewish people (just for good measure). There is no genuine peace or comfort to be found in this world, but our stubborn unbelief reckons it can be found if other people or our circumstances change. Pride and vanity always lead to great disappointment, misery, and sorrow circumstances cannot touch.
Praise the LORD we are never at the mercy of men or our feelings when we seek God and rejoice in His mercies which are new every morning. There is fullness of joy when we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus looking unto Him. When we consider all He endured for us sinners we find encouragement to persevere even in the most difficult times. Hebrews 12:3 states, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." The word in the Greek translated "consider" is more than "think about" but to "estimate and contemplate." It is an accounting term, weighing the evidence and drawing a conclusion based on facts. When I pass a $20 note to buy a loaf of bread which costs $3, the associate considers the price and money offered and deems it sufficient to finalise the purchase. In the same way we are to consider the love of Jesus displayed on Calvary for us and press on in faith - not because we feel like it, but because He loves us. Looking at life through the powerful lens of the resurrection we are enabled to walk in God's power infinitely greater than our own.
The life Jesus lived and the price paid with His shed blood is a payment which covers all sins and overcomes all difficulties for those who trust the LORD. It may not always feel like we are loved or remembered by God, but look at the price paid in our ledger! Our adoption papers have been signed with the blood of the pierced Son of God, and His claim on our lives and souls endures forever. Now as a child of God, how does that make you feel? Feelings won't be enough to keep you going strong when everything seems against you, but who Jesus is and what He has done and does will.
Esther 5:9 reads, "So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai." Haman was in a great mood because the privilege afforded him, but the sight of Mordecai sitting there filled him with anger. All the happy feelings were gone in an instant because one man was sitting when Haman wanted him to stand in respect. How amazing is this! After calling his family and friends Esther 5:11-13 says what happened next: "Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 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. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."
Haman had all the wealth, fame, power, prestige, and relationships one could hope for, yet he felt all his possessions and honour were nothing because one person refused to do what he wanted. Haman could not perceive it, but it was not Mordecai who robbed him of any glory or honour: it was his own pride which defrauded God. In robbing God of glory by demanding honour for self, Haman experienced deep dissatisfaction. A mistake Haman made was thinking he would feel better if he was rid of the sight of Mordecai and all the Jewish people (just for good measure). There is no genuine peace or comfort to be found in this world, but our stubborn unbelief reckons it can be found if other people or our circumstances change. Pride and vanity always lead to great disappointment, misery, and sorrow circumstances cannot touch.
Praise the LORD we are never at the mercy of men or our feelings when we seek God and rejoice in His mercies which are new every morning. There is fullness of joy when we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus looking unto Him. When we consider all He endured for us sinners we find encouragement to persevere even in the most difficult times. Hebrews 12:3 states, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." The word in the Greek translated "consider" is more than "think about" but to "estimate and contemplate." It is an accounting term, weighing the evidence and drawing a conclusion based on facts. When I pass a $20 note to buy a loaf of bread which costs $3, the associate considers the price and money offered and deems it sufficient to finalise the purchase. In the same way we are to consider the love of Jesus displayed on Calvary for us and press on in faith - not because we feel like it, but because He loves us. Looking at life through the powerful lens of the resurrection we are enabled to walk in God's power infinitely greater than our own.
The life Jesus lived and the price paid with His shed blood is a payment which covers all sins and overcomes all difficulties for those who trust the LORD. It may not always feel like we are loved or remembered by God, but look at the price paid in our ledger! Our adoption papers have been signed with the blood of the pierced Son of God, and His claim on our lives and souls endures forever. Now as a child of God, how does that make you feel? Feelings won't be enough to keep you going strong when everything seems against you, but who Jesus is and what He has done and does will.
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