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| "The Festival of Esther" - Edward Armitage |
TO CHEW ON: "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai." Esther 7:10
"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!"
That's from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse." Haman would certainly agree! The irony of his demise on the gallows he himself had built was not lost on the writer of Esther.
My Bible has an encouraging sidebar article highlighting God's brilliance at turning the enemy's devices back on himself:
"Scripture often affirms that the devices of our Adversary come down upon his own head (Psalm 7:16; 35:8; 37:14-15; Proverbs 26:27). The prime example of this truth is seen in the crucifixion of Jesus. Meant by Satan to undo the plan of God, the cross instead stripped the devil of all power and authority and brought about our deliverance (1 Corinthians 2:8; Colossians 2:14,15).... When great adversity is met with courageous intercession (Esther 4:16) the Lord will confound the enemy, redeem every trial, and deliver His people from bondage (see Romans 8:28)" - Christopher Hayward, "Caught in his own trap," New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 640 (emphasis added).I especially like that last bit about the part we can play in bringing down Satan's devices and schemes. Let's begin to view the gallows and traps he sets as opportunities for God to triumph and intercede along those lines.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that You are never surprised or caught off-guard by Satan's schemes. Please grow my faith in Your ability to turn around any bad situation, making it a force for good. Amen.
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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved
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