While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar.
– Esther 3:15
I don’t know about you, but I am really quick to condemn King Ahasuerus for his brash attitude and unfeeling heart at what he has just done. He goes off to drink with Haman, unconcerned about how his decision will affect others. He is content to eat, drink, and be merry because it doesn’t affect him, or it affects him positively. He gave the wicked Haman his signet ring, meaning Haman could operate out of the full authority of the king.
But that is my sinful heart, looking to point the finger to avoid looking at myself. How close is the comparison between this selfish king and myself? Ugh.
When I turn that pointing finger around and face the facts, I am really not so different from this king. Let’s take an honest look at ourselves before we throw stones.
Here are some thoughts on the subject from a commentary on Esther. Read carefully these words.
“If we look at our personal lives, we may find that we are really no different. What drives us to do the things we do? Do we think carefully before we act? Are we driven by gospel-directed logic in all of our decision making? Or have we handed over the signet ring of our lives to the enemy of our souls, who has deceived us through his shallow logic, making us the slave of our appetites? Many of us have sold our integrity for far less than Xerxes…..We are often proud of ourselves because we have not committed any great sins, yet does not the very smallness of our sins sometimes condemn us? How little we have received in return for our integrity! How cheaply we have allowed ourselves to be bought.”
That is heavy, huh? And when I just look at myself and my sin, I am tempted to sit in “the depths of despair.” While we’re not called to sit in despair all the time, there is an importance to taking the time to realize the full weight of our sin. When we do this, we can understand how GREAT is the hope that we have in Christ! We can proclaim:
Because of the Cross, I have hope!
Because of the Cross, I am redeemed!
Because of the Cross, my signet ring is handed over to the Lord of Lords!
Because of the Cross, tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it!
And this good news breaks us free from slavery and turns our hearts in worship to the Almighty King, who always acts with our good in mind. If we are in Christ, our signet ring belongs to Him. We are no longer slaves to our appetites, as King Ahasuerus was, but we are slaves of righteousness!
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to, and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. (
– Romans 6:17-18
Rejoice in this good news today, sisters!
