After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

Bowing down to the gods of this world is not an option for a Christ-follower. When we decide to follow Jesus, this is a 100% committed decision. There are no partial followers.

Haman fancied himself as like a god in his own right. He had vast power, rule, and control over the lives of those under them. He was second in command to a king who had riches that were so expansive it took 180 days to display them. And so, he “lorded” this power over the people. But he could not own one thing … the heart and soul of Mordecai was God’s and God’s alone. When, like Mordecai, will you need to stand your ground for truth and in honor of the one and only God?

I sometimes hear logic like this: If my sin can save other people then why should I not sin? Mordecai could have used this logic. Haman not only wanted to kill him, but the whole race of Jews. So Mordecai could have said, I’ll bow down to save my countrymen. But he did not. He stood strong for God.

When evil presents itself to us, we must reject it immediately. Our goals on this earth are not mainly to survive, but to bring praise, glory, and honor to the one true God. When we see God for who he is and all of his power and might, these minor mere men with power seem as nothing in comparison.

Lord, teach me to stand under oppression, and to look to you as my Savior when my life, livelihood, or family or friends are threatened. You always win in the end. Help me to truly trust you with unwavering loyalty, in the heart of life’s battles!