March 18 God’s Favor

Esther 8:1-2 On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. 2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
 
THIS is a remarkable change on the part of King Ahasuerus. The day before this, Haman had been his loyal associate, empowered to do as he pleased throughout Persia’s 127 provinces. But now the king has ordered Haman executed. Haman’s enemy Mordecai has taken Haman’s place in the court. In fact, Mordecai even has charge over Haman’s household. Mordecai has suddenly become powerful and wealthy. He even wears the ring of Haman’s authority. Haman had lost the king’s favor. Mordecai and Esther had gained the king’s favor. The king quickly judged those out of his favor. Then the king easily gave much to those he favored. In their humility Esther and Mordecai had risen to reign in the king’s court.
    Here in the pagan king’s disposition of material favor, we can see a truth of God’s eternal favor. Jesus says in Luke 4:19 that he had come “to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Jesus said this as he read from Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.
    As King Ahasuerus saved Esther and Mordecai from his decree of death, God’s favor is his expression to save mankind otherwise condemned to sin’s eternal death. Mordecai and Esther gained status and wealth in Persia. We gain status as children of the living God and the wealth of his eternal riches.
    God used the evil Haman, the casual King Ahasuerus, the righteous Mordecai and the submissive Esther to demonstrate his favor to raise up men and women to destroy evil. As one day the accuser Satan will be thrown into the pit, the accuser Haman was “thrown down” into destruction. As God’s truth is our tool to overcome evil, Esther overcame the king’s evil in the harem. As Mordecai, Esther and the Jews fasted and prayed, they demonstrated a unified church will conquer evil.
    Yes, it’s true that many men and women who stand so fearlessly for Jesus today and have through the centuries become martyrs for their Lord. But we know by Scripture’s testimony that these men and women receive special favor from God. Surely the evil that destroys their physical bodies will be “thrown down” for all eternity.
    Often we refuse to offer a testimony of Jesus because we’re afraid we might offend someone. Really?
 
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the example of martyrs throughout Scripture, from Abel to Revelation. Thank you that your favor is upon them. Receive such faithful servants with joy into your heavenly home. Amen.