The Lord is Thy Keeper

Why do we feel that we are unfairly treated so often? In our conversations, we hear of people getting the short end of the stick (short changed) all the time. In the book of Esther, there is a record of what seemed like an unfair deal. At the beginning it does look like Mordecai got a raw deal. There was another man by the name of Haman who was then in high position. The king at the time listened to him and would do whatever Haman prompted. Haman planned to eradicate the Jews and though wicked, seemed to be riding high and got the promotions. This is what we often witness and hear. There is "unfairness" and this has resulted in many quarrels, fights and led to depression for some.

It happened that one night King Ahasuerus could not sleep. He could have asked for entertainment, a concubine or the numerous choices to please him but he chose to read. Of all books, he chose to read the "dull" records of the kingdom's chronicles. That should put most people to sleep. Thank God that we can sleep. If you cannot, do not despair, God remembers you. Pray that He will grant you the ability to sleep (on your bed and not on the pews). Psalm 127:2 "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." In his reading, the king discovered that Mordecai saved him from an assassination five years ago. There was no record of any reward. It was not by chance that the king read this portion of the records. He was directed by God to do so. He might be the great king of Assyria but he is still part of God's plan. Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

The king then summoned Haman early in the morning and asked for his view of a reward that would befit the deed as recorded. Thinking that the reward was for himself, Haman recommended that the man be honoured; he should be dressed in the king's own apparel, ride on the king's horse with the royal crest on its head; and one of the princes should lead the horse through the city and command the people to honour him. Such an event would almost be a coronation. Haman's joy very quickly turned to a sense of shock. The king commanded Haman to do according to his advice on the reward. The one riding on the horse would be Mordecai and the one leading the horse would be Haman and not a prince. All along Haman has planned to get rid of the Jews and the eyesore for him was Mordecai. He constructed a very tall gallows to hang Mordecai. Now the table has turned, the proud has to eat humble pie and the humble is honoured. Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility." Psalm 33:10-11 "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

When you review these evidences of the providence of God, you cannot help but praise and thank Him for what a Great God He is. Oftentimes, a particular situation is beyond human control. The circumstance is such that there is nothing we can do. It may a crisis that lives are at stake. We prayed but God does not seem to answer. Then the worst of our imagination comes true — human disaster, lives lost. We doubt if God really cares. If He does, then where was He? Be assured God cares. Remember that His way is not our way. The outcome of every incident is to glorify His name and when we examine in retrospect, we realize that it is for our good too. We may not understand at the time when the tragedy occurs. God's delay is not God's denial. We sometimes get impatient and wonder as to why the wicked are prospering while the righteous are suffering, but God is never in a hurry. He is the master-scheduled Controller. He is long-suffering toward the wicked because He wants them to repent. Regardless how wicked one may appear to be, that person also has a soul that is just as precious to the Lord as that of ours. He is God's creation too. God is patient with His people because He wants us to receive the right reward at the right time for the right purpose. If Mordecai were ever puzzled because the king promoted Haman but ignored him, he would soon find out that God has not made a mistake nor forgotten about Mordecai. The God of Mordecai is our God. If he remembered Mordecai He remembers each one of us as well. Psalm 121:3-5 "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is Thy Keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand." Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Adapted form Calvary B-P Church Encouragement Page,
Elder Foong Kon Yu. 12th August 07.