Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Esther+006
CHAPTER 6 (ESV)
1 On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s young men told him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” 6 So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. 9 And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry; take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing that you have mentioned.”
REFLECTION:
King Ahasuerus could summon women, sing, and dance and drink when he could not sleep. However, on that night, the king gave an order to read the chronicles, and it so happened the great achievement of Mordecai（2：21-23） was read. It seemed to be coincidental, but it was actually God’s great work. At the critical moment when Haman was going to execute Mordecai unreasonably, God made King Ahasuerus reward Mordecai and turned the situation completely. This was not by accident but the result of God’s intervention on His people’s life. Today, although God promises to reward our good work, sometimes we will be disappointed when the reward is late. You should know that God is always working in your life. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). You should learn to persevere when you are disappointed and despaired. Our God is almighty and faithful. He will intervene and change everything at the most suitable time. Those who persevere to the end will receive God’s great reward.
PRAYER:
Come before God with a godly heart and praise Him for His righteousness, holiness, love and faithfulness. Tell God the disappointment and despair in your heart and ask Him to walk with you everyday. Ask God to sooth your heart and give you peace so that your will have hope in perseverance. Just as a farmer who diligently does the farming work, you will reap abundant harvest when the harvest season comes.
HYMN:
Trading My Sorrows – www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsfwvpcQhY
