March 22 Humble Authority

Esther 9:1-4 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, 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. 2 The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. 3 All the officials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal agents also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful. 
 
NOW Mordecai has become a man of great power in Persia. A man once among the common servants of the king’s court became “more and more powerful.”
    How do you think Mordecai responded to his new position of authority in Persia? Essentially, he could have anything he wanted. Now all the governors of Persia feared Mordecai. Their authority and even their lives were subject to Mordecai. One of their main priorities certainly was to know, “What does Mordecai want? How do I please him?”
    What do you think? Did Mordecai fall into the “pride trap”? You know what that looks like, don’t you? Powerful people can see their position from, “I did this. Look at me.” They become arrogant against God and the people who put them in power. Read through 1 & 2 Kings. See men who arrogantly disdained God and their people. Even David and Solomon committed these sins.
    The tone of Esther’s author, though, is that Mordecai ruled other godly leaders of the Bible. We have looked throughout the past 10 months at the humble Ezekiel, Elijah and Elisha. We can consider also Moses, who is described in Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. King David did sin as we all do, but we know, too, he often expressed great humility. Pride caused him to betray God’s laws. Humility then led him to repent. Psalms 31:5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
    In whatever God has given you to do, be reminded your Lord is the source of who you are. Be humble to serve his people in the Lord’s humility. Be mindful of the Lord’s Word. Set your life to his truth.
 
Prayer: Jesus, my Redeemer, into your hands I commit my spirit. Holy Spirit, teach me to live humbly in the Lord’s Word. Amen.