If you have ever experienced a crash’n’burn moment in life, the storyline in today’s chapter shows an example of how the saying “Pride goes before a fall”, has remained true for at least 25 centuries…
READ ESTHER 5 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
If I were given One Wish that the Creator God could do for me today, I think I’d ask my Maker to keep me from the blindness of pride. It’s precisely because pride is blind (and nothing dangerous can be seen in a blind spot) that makes it so insidious. Everyone else can see trouble coming except the one walking directly into the line of fire!
Today’s chapter was about events that took place 2,460+/- years ago, and yet it’s still more than relevant for us today. It shows the ultimate example of how pride really does come before a fall. Regardless of Haman’s power, position, wealth, and honor in the great Empire at the time[a], his ego is insatiable! [v11-13] Worse still is the advice he gets from his wife! Just as pack hunters or social predators hunt their prey by working together with other members of its species, Haman’s wife and friends add to his ego by suggesting that he kills Queen Esther’s cousin in a horribly public display of vengeance! [v14]
When obnoxious, unthinking pride rises to extreme heights, not only is the unpleasantness so visible, the fall is too. So, I wonder what I’m taking PRIDE in today, and whether it’s something that pleases the One who specifically made me in His own image to operate in His likeness,[b] or if it upsets/disappoints my Maker. If the latter, the fall can be catastrophic. Read More? …CLICK on “17 July – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Finding it difficult to connect with your Maker? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[c]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
I’ll give thanks to You Lord according to Your righteousness. I’ll sing praise to the name of Ēl ʿElyōn – the Lord Most High. [Psalm 7:17]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
- The World: The people of Iraq[d]
- Your Country: University Ministries
- Yourself: Stronger desire to be like Jesus
- Your concerns for today
You, Father God, really are the Rock on which I can stand. Your work is perfect and all Your ways are just. You’re my God of faithfulness, without injustice, righteous and upright are You! [Deuteronomy 32:4]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
As for me, O Lord, be gracious to me and heal my soul, for I have sinned greatly against You. [Psalm 41:4]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
I take hold of this, that You Lord, are my salvation! I’ll trust and not be afraid because – YAH, the Lord God – is my strength and song. You alone have become my salvation. [Isaiah 12:2]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[e] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Our Maker’s Handbook
“Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth, but meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it; then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [Joshua 1:8]
[a] Esther 3:1-2, v9-10
[b] Genesis 1:26-28
[c] Matthew 6:5-15
[d] http://www.operationworld.org/country/iraq/owtext.html
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31