Guard My Heart
BRD REFLECTIONS
Esther 5:9-14 and Psalm 68 (NIV)
(Angelyn Peh, Associate Lay Leader, Mandarin Ministry)
READ:
Esther 5:9-14, Psalm 68 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife,
11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honoured him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials.
12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.
APPLY:
Filled with rage: It is saying, “the heart is the root of all evil”. We often don’t even know about the health condition of our heart and mind. The human mind is said to be unpredictable; one evil thought is enough to cause permanent damage. Here, when Haman saw that Mordecai ignored him and paid no respect to him, anger was ignited in his heart and evil thoughts arose. These evil thoughts triggered a series of behaviours, which led to his disgrace. He reaped the consequences of what he had sown and got himself killed. The world we see is full of vicious acts — war, aggression, murder, hatred, framing, corruption, robbery, bullying, violence and so on. Aren’t they all from evil thoughts? No wonder Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Vast Wealth: Haman was the man ranked just below the King, known to be powerful and full of prestige. He enjoyed all the glory, splendor, vast wealth and wide influence. He purposely invited friends to his house to show off to them, and with the intention of receiving all praises and flattery. His pride and arrogance led him to do whatever he wished. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride is a common fault of people, especially when you are in a high position.
I’m the only person: When one’s flesh reigns, it will take to heart others’ praises, cheering, flattering, fawning, and will make sure the people are aware of one’s important position. Once this dignity is being threatened, it will lead to the behaviour of self-protection. Haman was promoted to be the Prime Minister, the rank just below the King. He ordered all the Ministers to kneel and bow down to him. He believed that no one could surpass him, that no one could be compared with him. He thought the honour could only belong to him. His ego and ambition led him to resort to all means, and he would try his best to kill those who disobeyed him. The “I”, “ME”, “I AM” mentality and the resulting behaviour is so real and common in life.
DO:
- “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23). Truly, I must hold tight to the Lord and follow him closely, in order not to let my own emotion control me blindly.
- I believe that everything comes from the Lord. He grants honour, and he allows suffering. I should not be complacent about what I have or be discouraged by the trials I have experienced. In all situations, I must be thankful and grateful.
- I should not think that only “I” can do it, let alone that only I can get it. Let my heart be a foot wider so that my path can be wider by ten times, to accommodate those I like and those I dislike. Let my heart be kind and respectful to all, whether they are with me or against me.
PRAY:
Lord, please examine my heart every day. Let me fix Your Words in my heart and mind, tie them on my hands and bind them on my forehead. Guide me and cleanse me, let my eyes look straight ahead, and fix my gaze directly before You.
Should I have hidden in my heart any bitterness, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice, please uproot them and completely remove them from my heart. Let me remember only to have kindness at all times, to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You. AMEN.
