“He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone…he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews…” – Esther 3:6 (NLT)
Have you ever been so offended by one person that you wanted to cancel the whole group chat or skip the next team meeting? Welcome to Haman’s world. Haman was the king’s right-hand man. He had status, influence, and everyone bowed when he passed. Everyone except Mordecai. Mordecai’s refusal wounded Haman’s pride so deeply that one man’s “no” became a plan to destroy an entire people. Esther 3:6, NLT expresses Haman’s heart:
“ … Instead, he looked for a way to destroy ALL the Jews …”
That’s what fear can do when it wears a suit of pride. It whispers: ‘If I lose control, I lose everything. If they don’t respect me, no one will.’
Haman built a 75-foot gallows for Mordecai, only to eventually hang on it himself. Fear is like that. It leads us to build gallows for others through angry words, gossip, revenge, manipulation, or unforgiveness, only to become trapped in the bitterness we created.
But fear is not our inheritance. 2nd Timothy 1:7 (NLT) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” “Self-discipline,” or “sound mind,” means you understand whose power you bow to in order to feel secure. Your faith in Jesus should not waver to any strong man at the gate.
So today, check your gate. Who is your Mordecai? Who didn’t applaud you, invite you, agree with you, or bow to your opinion? Are you still carrying the offence?
Ask yourself honestly: Do I want God to punish them, or do I want God to heal me?
Mordecai didn’t need to fight Haman. He simply needed to keep standing. God handled the rest. You don’t need to build a gallows. Let go of the need to be validated, applauded, or bowed to. Release the offence, reject fear, and stay faithful at your gate.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:7; Esther 7:10
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 27:15-22; Hebrews 11:1-16; Ezekiel 22:23-31; Ezekiel 23