After three days of fasting and praying, Esther is accepted in the king’s presence, where he promises her up to half of the kingdom. Esther’s only request at that time is that he and Haman join her at a feast she prepared. They do so, the king makes her the same offer, and she invites them to another feast the next day.
“And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart… and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him… Then Haman said, ‘…Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.’ ” (v9-13 abr)
After the feast Haman is ‘joyful and glad of heart’ (ie. half-drunk) and sees Mordecai, who once more refuses to bow to him. Enraged, Haman gathers friends and family so he can brag about his accolades, and lament Mordecai’s ‘insolence’ (ie. bowing to God, not Haman). He then plots to hang Mordecai the next morning.
How many of us are not satisfied with what we have? Many of us have roofs over our heads, clothes to wear, enough food to waste, a device on which we can read this devotional, etc. Yet, many of us fall prey to the trap of discontentment – “If only I had…”: “more money”, “better health”, “nicer hair”, “more hair”, “popularity”, “a newer car”, “more education”, etc.
Desires are not necessarily a sin, though we’re talking about the type of discontentment which is deep-rooted, drawing our attention toward ourselves, instead of toward God. Haman had literally everything he could want, yet it wasn’t enough because of his deep-rooted selfish pride.
Discontentment stemming from selfish pride produces an attitude of entitlement. In contrast, the Bible tells us the only thing to which we’re entitled is death as a result of our sin. Harsh as that may be, it’s true. Thankfully, God abounds in grace and mercy, redeems us from sin’s deserved outcome, and offers us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus our savior. (see Rom 6).
I strongly encourage us to direct our ‘hunger for more’ toward God. Let’s use that misguided discontentment to pursue things that are of eternal value – “I want more…”: “time with God”, “knowledge of scripture”, “time in prayer”, “Christ honoring friends”, “evangelism opportunities”, etc. Pursuing more of God, not the world’s offerings, is a healthy use of our desires. Chances are, if God is your primary pursuit, He will bless you with more than you need in this world.
Father God, our Merciful and Gracious Lord, holy, holy, holy, is Your name. You have promised to abundantly bless us with all that we need in this world, if only we would obey You. Please help us direct our desires toward You and that which is eternal. May we seek Your will and Your Kingdom over the temporary things of this world. May we always seek You first, and be satisfied with Your presence. May we thank and praise You, without ceasing, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training