Running Unlike Haman

Arrogance, pride and the desire to be respected due to title were his bondage, a portion at least.  Mordecai would appease him not, this man named Haman, in the circus arena of spiritual slavery. Anger entered the arena and joined forces with “holding a grudge” as Haman became more focused on his supposed problem: Mordecai.

Haman’s friends and family joined the circus effort, cheering loudly in support of revenge. “Build the gallows!” was the cry.  “Put Mordecai to death.  Make yourself feel happy,” they encouraged. And so, Haman did. He set out to make himself happy.

He built a gallows in an effort to solve his problem.  Unfortunately, that which he held as the solution to destroy another (Mordecai) actually became his own destruction.  Haman desired to see Mordecai die on the gallows, yet Haman is the one who found himself dying at the hands of his own work; the very gallows he made.

Is jealousy our gallows? How about holding a grudge? Perhaps unforgiveness or anger is our gallows. Haman ran to these.  He found shelter in keeping his anger, keeping his grudge.  Yet, “his” solution did not yield the bondage breaking power he hoped. Haman’s solution became his own death sentence.

Instead of holding onto those worthless weights, the bondage of anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, etc. and finding our own solutions, we can throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, all can be solved through Jesus. (Heb. 12:1 NIV*) Let’s run in a fashion unlike Haman and run, instead, with the King of kings as our solution. Instead of keeping our enemies and frustrations in the cross hair of our thoughts, we can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, remembering all the opposition he faced and yet endured because of the joy set before him.(Heb. 12:2-3 NIV*)

As we embark on yet another week, shall we check our vision, ensuring our eyes are fixed on Jesus? Let’s encourage one another to throw off those things which so easily entangle us, and let’s run this race as if to win, not to die in our own gallows.

With God all things are possible and to Him be the glory and honor….

He Is,
Kristi

PS….Today’s ditty on Haman can be found in the book of Esther. It’s a great read!