Before Haman Was - What to Remember When Problems Seem Big

A Series of Musings on the Book of Esther - Part Four

Tears streamed down his face. Matching the expression that was so wholly marked by sorrow. As he ran into my arms, he choked back another sob and then began to tell of his woe. I had expected to be shown a scraped knee or to hear of some unfair play, but when the little hands opened to reveal the object that was cupped inside them, I couldn’t help but smile. Not at his sadness, not at the problem, but rather that it could be so easily fixed.

 A new toy had broken in two, after just moments of use – delivering disappointment instead of the anticipated fun. But the damage wasn’t as serious as the little mind had feared and the model didn’t remain long in its broken state. For, in less time than it took to dry his tears, the toy was repaired. Then a bright smile replaced the furrowed brow.

Watching as he ran off to play, I recalled how often I had come to my Lord in a similar state.

How often I still come in such a manner - worried, fretful, and afraid; overwhelmed by a problem before I’ve even asked for help. When problems seem big, it is easy to forget that God is bigger; that He has every trial well in hand.

In the book of Esther, we learn that Mordecai and all of the Jews with him faced a problem. A problem that was big; much bigger than a broken toy and bigger even than the problems that most of us are facing. But God was bigger still. He knew Haman’s plot to have the Jews annihilated; He also knew just how to save them.

Before Haman had begun to conspire against the Jews, Esther had been placed in a position of influence, a position where she would be able to intercede. Is this just a coincidence? Perhaps. Or perhaps, as Mordecai said, she had come to the kingdom for just such a time as this - perhaps God had placed her there intentionally.

I think the Lord must smile on occasion knowing how easily my troubles truly are to amend. I think He must long at times to lift my head, dry my tears, and say, “oh child, don’t be one of little faith.”

He tells me to have faith in Him. To keep my eyes on His expression. He is never worried, never fretful, nor surprised.

I call Him ‘Provider’ but in the midst of a problem I often forget what that name really means. It means He makes the rain to fall, the crops to grow, and gives my every breath. But as provider He does much more than this. The word provider is the description of someone who is giving provision. Provision is defined both as ‘the act or process of meeting a need’ and as ‘the fact or state of being prepared beforehand.’ So, when we call our God ‘Provider’, we should remember that He not only meets our needs but does so even before they come.

He is never caught by surprise. Jesus said, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” (Matthew vi.8, ESV) and again and again the Father has proven that statement true. Meeting every need with such perfect faithfulness. Preceding trouble with provision.

 Another Example from the Life of Mordecai

We find another illustration of God’s sovereignty in Mordecai’s personal peril.

The approaching annihilation of the Jews wasn’t coming soon enough to satisfy Haman's frustration, so, in order to keep from spoiling his enjoyment of Queen Esther’s second banquet– to which only he and the king had been invited - Haman planned a special execution for Mordecai.

As morning dawned, he had only to get King Ahasuarus to agree to his plot and his satisfaction would be secured, for he had already commissioned a gallows to be constructed in his front yard just for the occasion. Approaching the king’s door, Haman feared little. The king had condemned an entire people to death at his last request, so what could possibly stand in his way now?  

Truly, God alone could. Mordecai and Esther didn’t even know of Haman’s newest scheme but the God of Mordecai and Esther did. He had been at work on it all the night before. King Ahasuarus was robbed of his sleep and, while listening to the chronicles of his life read aloud, he recalled a deed that Mordecai had done. A deed that had saved his life. God had prepared that deed before the rivalry between Haman and Mordecai even commenced; before Haman had even risen to power.

God, in His sovereignty, had prepared the perfect method of Mordecai’s rescue. He did so long before Mordecai was in need of rescue. Thus, when it was needed the provision was ready; made ready by the pre- vision of God.

It is possible that Mordecai believed that deed to have been forgotten, overlooked by the king, and of little use. But the King of all had not forgotten it. Rather He had prepared it for just such a time as this.

Our God is sovereign, and He cares for us with the same all-knowing power that we see demonstrated in the book of Esther.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John viii.58, ESV)

He said this as a statement of His divinity. As a testimony that He was greater than Abraham onto whom the eyes of the people were turned. We need to hear that statement too. We need to be reminded that He is divine and that He is greater than the things onto which we have turned our eyes.

So, when problems seem big, let us remind ourselves that no need has arisen that He did not know before it came and the trials which threaten to shatter our joy are easily made into something useful in His hands. So, let’s pray to see as David saw. To focus not on the giant of a man who towers above all the congregation of Israel, but on the giant of a God who towers high over him.

Let’s pray to be reminded that before Haman was, He is. That before our troubles were, He is and was and forever more will be.

In Christ

quiana