Sleepless nights
Opening Prayer
Spirit of God, make me sensitive to Your leading and responsive to the movement of Your heart.
Read ESTHER 6:1–14
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. [2] It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. [3] “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. [4] The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. [5] His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. [6] When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” [7] So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, [8] have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. [9] Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'” [10] “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” [11] So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” [12] Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, [13] and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him-you will surely come to ruin!” [14] While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does God work in seemingly random events here?Do you ever get sleepless nights? There’s something on your mind—work to be done, a difficult meeting the next day, family worries, or just that nagging sense that there’s something you’ve forgotten to do. Thousands of years ago King Xerxes had the same problem (1). He didn’t call for cocoa! Instead he called for the records of his reign and discovered what was bothering him. Mordecai had saved him from an assassination plot (2; 2:21–23)—and hadn’t been rewarded (3)! Who would know what should be done for this hero (6)?! Haman was up early too, probably after a long night spent preparing for Mordecai’s execution (4). The plot unravels as Haman’s dreams of glory are awarded to Mordecai rather than himself (7–10). Humiliated (11,12), Haman’s family and friends tell him it’s all over; he can’t win against God’s people (13). God’s careful plan is leading to victory. There is no escape now. Haman is rushed off to his final appointment with the queen (14). Our heavenly King has all the details in hand (see Rom. 8:31). It wasn’t Mordecai who had had the sleepless night!
Apply
The next time you can’t sleep, ask the Lord if your unrest signals something that needs to be set right.
Closing prayer
Good Father, I want to walk as Mordecai did, resting and trusting that You will vindicate my cause.
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