When Our Best is Never Enough - Day 213 Through the Bible

The Mountain Piecemakers Quilt Show this weekend at Burnsville, NC, Town Center  near Mt. Celo Church

A Layperson's Lessons and Applications from Today's Readings

The Best is Never Enough for the Narcissistic Soul - Esther 5 - 6 - After three days of fasting, Esther is appearing in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while he is on his throne in the royal house facing the entrance.  She has not been called before the king, which means she could face imminent death, but the king holds out the golden scepter to her, granting her permission to approach him and offering her any request - even up to half his kingdom.  She entreats King Ahasuerus/Xerxes and Haman to attend a banquet of wine in their honor.  Haman, in his great pride and arrogance, "goes out that day joyful and with a glad heart" until he sees Mordecai in the king's gate, who refuses to stand or tremble before him. "Haman is filled with indignation against Mordecai."  Haman restrains himself at this time, calls his wife and friends together and begins recounting to them how great a man he is: "his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king as promoted him, and how he has advanced above the officials and servants of the king, how the queen had invited no one but him to the banquet that day and no one but him and the king tomorrow. "Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai, the Jew, sitting at the king's gate."  His "wise" men and wife tell him to build a gallows, suggest to the king Mordecai be on it, and go "merrily" with the king to the banquet.  King Ahasuerus cannot sleep that night; he commands that the book of chronicles be brought to him and reads of how Mordecai saved his life from the murderous plot of the eunuchs.  When told nothing was ever done to reward Mordecai for this, he asks Haman what he feels is the best way the king could honor a deserving man.  Haman, thinking it is all about himself, suggests great pomp in a robe the king has worn, a horse with the royal crest the king has ridden led through the streets by a noble prince who proclaims this is how the king delights to honor a man.  Then the king tells Haman to do just this - to lead Mordecai through the streets in this fashion.  Mordecai returns to the gate after this, but Haman returns home mourning with his head covered.  This time his wise men and wife tell him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him."

My Lessons and Applications - 1) Have you ever been in a family or work relationship with a personality like Haman's?  If so, you will understand that no matter how much is done by the wife/husband, the children, the employee - no matter how great God's blessing on the family or company is - it is never enough...and the response is always braggadocio, crediting only self, followed by indignation and wrath when the ego is not constantly stoked and stroked.  One perceived or actual slight can reign down terror and horror on those around, leaving nothing but ashes in the wake of this solipsistic personality.  When you read about how to best live with these people, the advice is to get away from them, as no amount of walking on egg shells or attempting to placate them will work for long.  Sometimes that is not possible to do without more harm.  This was such a case.  2) Esther - through discernment, gained in fasting and through Mordecai's counsel - gently eases her way to her request of the king, who is very similar in personality to Haman.  BUT GOD, in His providence - turns the tables on Haman, using this wicked king as His agent. 3) In the blog post for July 31st, I mentioned how important it was for Mordecai's revealing the murderous plot against the king to be written in the book of chronicles.  At a later time, the king cannot sleep, asks for his journal - his chronicles - and remembers Mordecai's goodness and that the man was never rewarded.  I have learned to keep time lines or notes in a journal or my Bible - especially regarding events that impact my life or those under my care.  4) Years ago, Charles Stanley mentioned in one of his televised sermons, that God's pattern with him was to wake him at 3:00 a.m. when He had something of great importance to reveal to him.  I have noticed this in my life as well, so my entire being waits in expectancy to listen to what God is saying to me during these times.  Am I in prayer and following God's Word and leading before I commit to relationships - both personally and professionally? When faced with an ungodly person or situation, am I willing to stand on God's Word, on His leading, regardless of the consequences?

Circumcision and Our Best Works vs. Grace and Faith - Romans 4 - "For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness...While he was circumcised or uncircumcised?...Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.  And he received...the sign of circumcision...a seal...of the righteousness of the faith...which he had while still uncircumcised...that he might be the father...of all those who believe...though they are uncircumcised...that righteousness might be imputed to them also...For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law...but through the righteousness of faith...Therefore it is of faith...that it might be according to grace...so that the promise might be sure to all the seed...not only to those who are of the law...but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham...who is the father of us all...who contrary to hope believed...He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief...but strengthened in faith...giving glory to God...being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform...therefore...it was accounted to him for righteousness...Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him...but also for us...It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead...who was delivered up because of our offenses...and was raised because of our justification." (Ellipses are mine and are used for contemplation)

My Lessons and Applications - I am saved by faith alone...through grace alone...in Christ Alone...all for God's glory.  Does my life bring glory to God?  Am I living for self, for what pleases me and makes me happy or what pleases God according to His Word?  Am I following the culture and materialistic attitudes around me, or am I following the leading of the Holy Spirit?  What is the impact of the self-absorbed life on our nation, our world?  What is the impact of the true church - the possessing believers - on our nation, our world?  What is my impact for God in my sphere of influence?

On this side of heaven you will never find a more holy people than those who have received the doctrine of Christ's righteousness into their hearts.  When a believer says, "I live on Christ alone, solely rest on Him for salvation, and believe that however unworthy I may feel, I am forever saved in Jesus", then with a motive of gratitude arising within him, he begins to think, "Because this is true, should I not live for Christ?  Should I not love Him and serve Him all the more since I am saved by His merits - not mine?"  "Christ's love compels us...that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them." (2 Cor. 5: 14-15) 

 Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening