Anglican Devotional 6 July 2023 – The Enemy Shall Not Prosper Over You

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 6 July 2023 – The Enemy Shall Not Prosper Over You

TOPIC: The Enemy Shall Not Prosper Over You

Anglican Devotional

READ: Esther 3:1-15 (NKJV)

1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

2 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.

3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.

9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

THE MESSAGE:

Haman was a significant individual in the kingdom of king Ahasuerus. He was so important that the king promoted him and gave him a free hand of operation in his kingdom. His words were powerful because he was known to be one of the closest individuals to the king.

Haman discovered that all the workers in Sushan, the palace of king Ahasuerus, except Mordecai, the uncle of Esther, usually bowed and reverenced him each time he came around. The Bible tells us why Mordecai did not behave like his colleagues: “…for he had told them that he was a Jew” (verse 4 cf. Exodus 20:1-5). The act of bowing anyhow and for just anything was contrary to the Jewish culture. This was the genesis of Haman’s wrath not only against Mordecai but also all the Jews in the Kingdom of Ahasuerus. He was determined to use his position to wipe them out in the 127 provinces under the control of Ahasuerus. He received the king’s authority to write letters which he posted to all the provinces for the purpose of causing all the Jews to perish (verse 13). Eventually, it was Haman who perished (Esther 7:10).

Beloved, as long as you are on the side of the Lord and pursuing His righteousness in all your dealings, you have nothing to fear. It does not matter how many people gather against you, they will fail woefully. Anyone who plots against you shall destroy himself like Haman. As you go out today, no weapon formed against you shall prosper and every plot of the enemy against you shall not stand (Numbers 23:23; Isa. 54:17)

PRAYER: No weapon fashioned against me today and always shall prosper, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) provides daily scriptural readings and reflections to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. This edition for 6 July 2023 focuses on the theme of forgiveness and explores how we can receive and extend forgiveness to others as Christ did for us. Join us in this enriching journey of faith and discover the power of forgiveness in your life.