Today’s reading: Esther 4:1-9:17
My selection: Esther 6:3
And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
My reflections: Much could be said about the obvious character of Mordecai and of Esther: his wisdom, her courage etc. It may be less obvious to say that Mordecai’s humility is seen in his apparent willingness to do the right thing, reporting the plot of the king’s would-be assassins, without reward or recognition.
I do not know how much time had elapsed between Mordecai’s reporting of the assassination plot and the king’s sleepless night on which he realized that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his loyalty. Mordecai had made no appeal for reward or recognition. Because of that, the timing of the king’s decision to have Haman honor Mordecai brought even greater joy to the Jews and an ominous sense of impending doom to Haman and his family. Indeed, the last public act of service of Haman was to lead his enemy, Mordecai, through the streets of the capitol on the king’s horse, dressed in the king’s robes and proclaiming “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.” That very night the wicked Haman would die on his own gallows.
My challenge: Has your faithful service been unrecognized and unrewarded? How have you responded to the slights you have received? Can you see how being faithful and loyal without recognition is still the right thing to do? Can you see how God may be reserving your recognition and reward for a particular moment when it will mean even more?
Mordecai exemplifies the commands and promises of Colossians 3:23-25: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Today, be faithful working heartily for the Lord expecting only His reward in His time. Who knows? There may be accrued interest.
Tomorrow’s reading: Esther 9:18-Job 3:26
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