Esther 3:2(KJV)
And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
From our anchored Scripture, Mordecai refused to bow to Haman or any god except the living God. By obeying the rule of the Persian King and bowing to Haman, he would betray his allegiance to the King of kings, the God of gods. Even as a captive in a strange land, he would not compromise his faith. Life is a product of choice; what or where we will be is a product of our decisions. Except we choose to stand with God, there are some challenges we cannot overcome. By refusing to look back and taking a stand for God, we bring Him into all our affairs. Sometimes, all we need is a little courage to stand up for what we know to be correct, a little courage to say no when we know what we are being asked to do is wrong, and a little courage to step out in faith when all the odds seem against us. Joshua 24:15 says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Choice is the act of making decisions in the thick of a given set of alternatives. Our choices in life determine how far we can go. Choosing to side with God and His Word is a continual challenge. However, we can still trust God’s unchanging love and character revealed through His constant and eternally true Word. In Daniel 3, the three Hebrew brothers chose to identify with God regardless of cost. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were confronted with the choice of bowing down before the graven image of king Nebuchadnezzar or facing the danger of being thrown into the fiery furnace, they made up their minds that even if God did not deliver them, they would not bow before the image of the king. The options before them were limited. The time to think it through was non-existent; it was either they forsook God or embraced the fiery furnace. However, they trusted God to deliver them and were determined to be faithful regardless of the consequences. Determined to worship the One True God, they faced the fiery furnace, which was heated seven times its normal temperature, but God was able to deliver them. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25-26 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Beloved, be committed to God and refuse to serve the devil as an option to serving God in the face of the trials and challenges of life. Know that it isn’t about what others are doing, it isn’t about what’s going to make the path more straightforward, it isn’t about what is politically correct or socially acceptable, it is all about God and His Plan for your life. When you have done all you can, stand and believe that God will take care of the rest. And even if He does not, you will do what is right. Ultimately, you will find God always does what is best for you. Let your problems be an opportunity for you to see God and experience what He can do! You can face any problem with clear-headedness, faith, and courage when you believe God’s goodness awaits you on the other side of whatever fire you’re facing. Take a stand for God, and He who has the power to do all things is wise enough to do what is best for your life. He is more than able; our God is able!
O Lord, help me to follow and serve You, standing on Your Word of Truth no matter what comes my way in Jesus’ Name.