Never Revoked – October 5, 2008

Never Revoked

Esther 8:8

Jim Stephens

10-05-08

 

Scripture:

 

“Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”  (Esther 8:8 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Xerxes was an impulsive man.  He made proclamations that could eliminate an entire race of people on the spur of the moment.  Worse, his impulses were codified into law.  They became irrevocable laws of the empire.

 

Darius, the emperor who succeeded Cyrus a hundred years earlier, had a similar flaw.  His pride led him to proclaim that for a month, anyone who didn’t worship him as a god would be thrown into a den of lions.  When his trusted administrator Daniel continued to faithfully pray to Yahweh, Darius tried to save him, but was bound by his own impulsive declaration.

 

In both cases, God was able to save his faithful ones.

 

Application:

 

Emperors of Babylon and Persia aren’t the only ones who make impulsive declarations!  I want to get wiser as I get older.  I purpose to follow the advice James gives “...You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  (James 1:19 NLT)

 

Then when I do say something impulsive and stupid anyway, I am determined to deal with my pride and not get caught in the “It can never be revoked” trap.

 

Prayer:

 

Father please give me wisdom to listen quickly and speak slowly and make fewer impulsive declarations that have the potential to hurt people.  And when I do say something stupid, give me grace and humility to acknowledge my error and say the right thing.  Please help me guard my mind and heart so I don’t hurt people by what I say.  Amen.