The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / PRIDE VERSUS HUMILITY

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 213 of 365 PRIDE VERSUS HUMILITY It's not hard to see the irony in this turn of events. Haman was on his way to recommend that Mordecai be hanged, yet he unknowingly is recommending that Mordecai be honored and given the royal treatment. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Pr 16:18). Exhibit A: Haman. Even after Mordecai saved the king's life, Mordecai was humble enough not to demand recognition or a reward. Jesus said, "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Mt 23:12). God's timing is perfect, and he knows where to find his followers when he is ready to honor them. Believers don't have to manipulate or force their position anywhere . . . at work . . . in the church . . . among friends and family. But "your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Mt 6:18). Jesus is the ultimate model and inspiration. Not only did Jesus model humility (Php 2:8), his followers also are to be marked by humility. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph 4:2 - 3). Jesus, I want to be more like Mordecai than Haman. Help me to follow your lead in acting in humility, and prevent me from seeking my own glory. Amen. Esther 6:4-10 NASB 4 So the king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows which he had prepared for him. 5 The king's servants said to him, "Behold, Haman is standing in the court." And the king said, "Let him come in." 6 So Haman came in and the king said to him, "What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?" And Haman said to himself, "Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?" 7 Then Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king desires to honor, 8 let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed; 9 and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, 'Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.'" Haman Must Honor Mordecai 10 Then the king said to Haman, "Take quickly the robes and the horse as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king's gate; do not fall short in anything of all that you have said."