| Grace Not to Lose Focus |
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Esther 5:11-13 (NIV)
Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "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. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."
Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "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. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."
Offenses can be a very subtle and dangerous thing. The offense that Haman held against Mordecai was that Mordecai refused to bow down to him like others were doing. This offense became more important to Haman than all the wealth he had, his children and even the recent promotion he received from the king. How to avenge Mordecai for this offense by wiping out all the Jews from the land became the major focus of Haman's new government position, Est.3:1-6.This is a perfect example of how bitterness and unforgiveness can distract and manipulate us if we do not know how to handle hurts and offenses. Decide today that no matter what people do to you, you will not become bitter and blinded to God's grace, goodness and plans for your life, Heb.12:14-15. Decide that you will continue walking in love.
Laying aside offenses is a process we must continue to partake in if we are to continue to make progress in life and in God. 1Peter 2:1-3 says, wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. God wants us to be like children when it comes to offenses, 1Cor. 14:20. Children do not hold grudges. Show mercy and choose not to hold anything against anyone.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive your grace never to lose focus because of hurts and offenses. Right now, I forgive and release everyone who has hurt me.
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