“The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.“
Into the Text
When the devastating news of the edict reached the Jewish people, their hearts were filled with sorrow. Imagine the fear and anguish they must have felt—living in a foreign land, fighting to preserve their identity, and now facing a decree that threatened their very existence. It was a time of great mourning, but God was still present even in the darkest moments. Though His movements were hidden, He was at work behind the scenes, unfolding His plan to save His people.
Mordecai’s response is a powerful example for us. He came before God with a broken heart, filled with humility and a deep dependence on Him. Psalm 51:17 reminds us that God draws near to this kind of heart—a heart that is humble and surrendered. When we approach God with humility, laying down our pride and trusting in His goodness, we can be confident that He hears us.
Sometimes, life feels overwhelming, and we may not understand why certain things are happening. But even in those times when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart and know that God is working for His glory and our good. In these times, He invites us to come to Him with honest and humble hearts, meeting us in our brokenness and working “behind the scenes” of our lives.
Is there an area of your life where you need to surrender and approach God with humility? Trust that He is near, even when you can’t see or feel Him, and know He is always at work in our lives.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to approach you with a humble and contrite heart. When my motives are not pure, reveal them to me. Help me to live in your truth and in a way that reflects your love. Thank you for working in ways in my life that I’m not even aware of. Amen.