The King Could Not Sleep
.
The King Could Not Sleep
God has ways of working that we people can never fathom. When we might feel that all is hopeless, God is at work for us, bringing about events we could not imagine. There are many instances of God’s miraculous handling of events throughout the Bible. One is recorded in the book of Esther. It’s good to remember these events.
Because of Israel’s unrepented sins, Persia was allowed to conquer Israel. Then God worked many events so that a God fearing Israelite named Esther became the queen, being chosen by King Ahasuerus as the most beautiful and desirable among women in the empire.
Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, found out about a plot to kill King Ahasuerus and reported it. The would-be assassins were hung for their dastardly plan. As events progressed, a man named Haman was promoted to a position of authority in the kingdom. In all his pride, Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him as he rode by. Mordecai refused to bow down, bringing Haman’s anger to the boiling point.
In hatred, Haman asked the king for permission to kill all the Jews, claiming that they did not obey the king’s laws. Not realizing the deception or the fact that his wife, Esther, was a Jew, the king granted Haman permission.
While Haman formulated his plans to kill the Jews, Queen Esther invited the king and Haman to a dinner, causing Haman to become even more proud of his position of influence. But, when he again saw Mordecai refusing to bow down to him, Haman had to tell of his grief to his wife and friends. Then Esther 5:12 through 6:3 recounts,
Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it, then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written that Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
And the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
Little did anyone realize that God was at work. Who but God could have led Esther to become queen? Who but God could have led hateful Haman’s friends to give him bad advice? Who but God could have taken sleep away from the king on that particular night? Who but God could have caused the records of Mordecai’s good deed to be read? Who but God could have led the king to want to give Mordecai an immediate reward?
In the end of all this intrigue, Haman was hung on his own gallows, Mordecai was promoted, and the Israelites were saved. What an awesome turn of events because of faith.
God also works for our good in the same awesome ways. His power and leading for His children cannot be fully known or explained — but God’s end results are marvelously wonderful.
The main point in the book of Esther is to live by faith according to God’s will and trust the Lord to do His work in His way — even when things look hopeless outwardly. As Romans 8:28 says,
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
We don’t have to be afraid of living according to God’s will. When we live the way God wants us to live, He will take care of everything in the end — simply because we are His dear children.
As we trust in our Lord, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You are almighty in absolutely everything. Thank You for loving us, forgiving us, and caring for us.”
Love,
Margaret
.
A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
.
.
.
.
Comments are closed.