Esther Reading Plan – W8D1
Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 8 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask God to open your eyes and ears to what He wants to say to you today.
Bible Reading: Esther 6:1-6
Read these verses three times slowly.
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.
His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”
“Bring him in,” the king ordered.
When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?”
Reflection & Questions
We pick up the story of Esther, as the King has insomnia. In an effort to go to sleep, he has the history of his reign read. It just so happens that the reader picks up with the story of Mordecai’s rescuing of the King from an assassination plot. The King wonders how Mordecai was honored for this? The answer was he hadn’t been. Haman just so happens to be in the courts, to talk to the King about impaling Mordecai. Ironically, the King, in a desire to honor Mordecai, asks Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Haman, being self-obsessed as usual, thinks the King is talking about him.
The difference between Haman and Mordecai in these verses couldn’t be more stark. Mordecai hasn’t complained or thought twice about not being honored for rescuing the King. Haman can’t even think of anyone deserving honor except himself. Haman is full of pride. Not only does he want to be at the center of everything, he needs to be. If he’s not, he’s devastated. In contrast, Mordecai didn’t need recognition. His thoughts weren’t for himself but for those around him. He was humble. Whether others noticed or not didn’t make a difference. How often are we more like Haman than Mordecai! This week we will be exploring the fruit of pride in our lives and how God mends our broken hearts.
- Do you need to be built up by others? Does that desire have a control over your attitude? How do you know?
- Honestly reflect on the last time you were offended. Why were you offended? Was it because of pride?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Have a favorite worship song you think would be helpful to others? Email Pastor Ed your ideas
Prepare to Meet with Jesus
Go to your quiet place. When there are no devices around that will distract you, take a deep breath. Blow it out slowly. Do that again. And do it one last time. Ask God for His help to read and understand.
Bible Reading: Esther 6:1-3
Read these verses three times slowly.
That night the king couldn’t sleep. So he ordered the official records of his rule to be brought in. He ordered someone to read them to him. What Mordecai had done was written there. He had uncovered the plans of Bigthana and Teresh. They were two of the king’s officers who guarded the door of the royal palace. They had decided to kill King Xerxes.
“What great honor has Mordecai received for doing that?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.
Reflection & Questions
What an interesting turn of events, right? Now the king has discovered that Mordecai is a hero! He had uncovered the plan of two of the king’s officers who were plotting to kill King Xerxes. God brought that detail to his attention at just the right time, wouldn’t you say? Soon there will be a feast where Esther requests favor for Mordecai, but God has already planted the seed of favor in the king’s mind.
Have you ever had something interesting happen and you didn’t understand it at the time, but then a few days later you realize that it was helpful to you at just the right time after all? For example, while walking through a parking lot, you find $10 on the ground. That’s pretty great! Then the next day you go shopping with your mom and discover a brand new lego set that you really want that costs $10! People often call these “coincidences” but our God is in control of all, including the timing of events in our lives, big and small.
- Have you ever had a coincidence happen to you?
- Have you ever had an event happen where you just knew that it was God who made it happen?
Pray
Our God is in control of all things, including the timing of events in our lives. Thank him for always watching out for you. Ask him to help you see him in all things each day.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate