Topic: God Rewards Faithfulness [Friday April 8, 2016]
Text: Esther 8:1-6
Key Verse: “And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman” (Esther 8:2).
The pursuit of success is often the consuming passion of many today. They seek this accomplishment at all costs. To them, the end justifies the means. They may trample on the rights of others and subvert laws and laid down guidelines. The pity is that after so flagrantly and deliberately pursuing and achieving their selfish agenda, they claim that God has blessed them. But God blesses only those who are faithful to Him.
The entire Jewish population were facing a death sentence through the plot of a single man, Haman. Eventually, God intervened after Esther had fasted and prayed at the encouragement of Mordecai. Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Yet, the law that was made for the extermination of all the Jews on a set day was still in force. To change it, Esther brought Mordecai before the king. He had exposed a plot by some assassins to kill the king. He was not rewarded immediately; but as it turned out, God was saving his reward for a better time. The king later remembered Mordecai’s good deed, promoted and placed him in the position occupied by Haman, the Jews’ enemy. He now had the authority to exercise royal functions. However, a tearful Esther still needed to plead with the king “to put away the mischief of Haman”, and spare the lives of the Jews. Her request was granted; the king authorized the Jews to wipe out all their enemies.
Spectacular reversal of fortunes occurs when we serve God faithfully and please Him in our daily lives. We do not serve Him in expectation of rewards, but “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love”. His reward invariably comes in multiples when compared to whatever service we may have rendered to Him. When we are willing to give up everything to please God, He will in return lavish His blessings upon us in greater measure.
Thought for the day: To the faithful, God says: “thy work shall be rewarded”.
Bible Reading in one Year: Acts 3-4
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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