JESUS WILL TURN THE TABLE ON YOUR CHALLENGES SO YOU WILL HAVE THE UPPER HAND

SCRIPTURE:

“When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them… 9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.”  (Esther 8:15—17, 9:1—4)

OBSERVATION:

            Promotion does not come from the east nor the west, but it comes from above.  Mordecai was a forgotten person until the found the good deed that he did that save the kings life.  When the king found out about his good deed, he asked, was there anything done for Mordecai for saving his life.  There was no reward for Mordecai, and the king rewarded Mordecai with a promotion in his kingdom.

            Mordecai came into the presence of the king a mere FORGOTTEN PERSON that no one think about to become someone honored and changed.  Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.  Mordecai was not only rewarded for saving the kings life, but also for saving his people, the Jews life from being exterminated by wicked Naman. 

            Naman was trying to promote himself and by his wickedness, he tried to kill all the jews, until the king found out what he was planning to do.  Many people hated the Jews as well, but God sovereignty works out a plan that save the Jews and strike fear in the hearts of those who follow Naaman’s wicked plan when they found out that it wasn’t Naaman that was honored but Mordecai.

            The haters of the Jews feared for their lives that they became Jews.  Fear seized their hearts that they did not want to die along with Naaman in his wicked plan.  The king reversed the plans of Naaman to kill the Jews, by giving Mordecai and all the Jewish people the power to destroy those who were seeking to destroy them. 

            Mordecai became prominent in the palace of the king; his reputation spread throughout the provinces and he became more and more powerful.  Things changed from worse for the Jews to joy and celebration, and the enemies of the Jews to fear and death.  I love how the story ended… “On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.”  God knows how to TURN THE TABLE so we GET THE UPPER HAND over those who seek harm.

APPLICATION:

            I must learn to trust God in all situations.  Sometimes it gets really dark before things turns in our favor.  I must trust God’s timing in all situations.  I must learn to wait in silence and quietness as God works on my behalf.  God knows when to the turn the tables around on our circumstances so that we can get the upper hand over all our challenges. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, I thank you for reminding me that you always come through in your timing.  You are never out of time.  I ask that you continue to teach me how to rest in your care.  Help me trust in your timing.  Teach me to know your ways and to follow you faithfully even though things aren’t what they are supposed to be.  Help me to have the fear of you in my life so I can obey and walk in your ways.  I thank you for being the God who turn the tables on our circumstances so I can have the upper hand in the challenges of life.  Amen!