Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: July 9th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Esther 3:9-15

Clearly Haman knew that his plan to exterminate the Jews needed careful thought if it was to succeed. As Persia prided itself on its structure of law, his first task was to draw up a new edict which demanded the death of all those who were Jews, then have it approved by the king. When, at last, the cruel document is finished, it is brought to the king who apparently without question signs it, and by so doing establishes it as a new law. The document, of course, was full of lies, which is not surprising when you consider that behind it was the one whom Jesus once referred to as "the father of lies" - the devil (John 8:44). Haman's malevolence toward the Jews was so great that he offered to finance the whole cost of the operation to exterminate them himself. The amount was 10,000 talents of silver - in modern currency about twenty-five million pounds. Doubtless, Haman considered this to be an investment, believing that his financial outlay would be returned to him later in the form of repossessed Jewish property. Once the decree was signed and sealed, it was translated into the many languages of the subject peoples and sent to every part of the empire. The edict said that on the 13th day of a certain month, every Jew would be put to death. No one would be exempt. It demanded complete extermination. Haman was to find out, however, what other leaders of nations throughout time have found - that those who set out to exterminate the Jews are fighting against God. And what a mismatched contest that always turns out to be!

Gracious and loving heavenly Father, how glad I am that I am not fighting against You, but fighting for You. As I fight this "good fight of faith," help me understand that with You on my side I may lose a few rounds but never the contest. I am so thankful. Amen.