July 19

Esther 7

Haman´s plot is revealed, and he is hanged.

INSIGHT

The final irony falls. Haman hangs on the gallows which he had constructed for Mordecai. Pride has come full circle; sin has self-destructed. Satan is called the deceiver and the destroyer; he deceives in order to destroy. He gets us to commit ourselves to a course of action which we think will achieve our aims, and, in the end, it destroys us. If you are on any course of action which you feel will achieve your aims—but the course of action is wrong—give it up. Unchecked, you will eventually be destroyed by it.

PRAYER

Offer your praise to the Lord that though He does not always spare us from pain, He is always with us through the pain:
Praise the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation…
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever…
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever (Psalm 111:1, 3, 10).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands,
“You are our gods.”
For in You the fatherless finds mercy (Hosea 14:3).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Spiritual victory over temptation
• Opportunities to serve the Lord
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Timothy 1:17).