Daily Devotionals

Devotional: July 1st

For Reading and Meditation:
     Esther 5:9-14

When Haman receives the news that he is invited to a special banquet arranged by Queen Esther, his joy knows no bounds. Arriving at the palace gates, however, and seeing Mordecai standing there so confidently, his joy leaves him. Haman thinks to himself once again: this rebellious Jew will not bow down before me. Restraining himself as best he can, he sits through the banquet. Later he tells his wife and friends, "Today I was a special guest at the queen's banquet - no one else was present, but just the king and myself. Surely some new honor is being prepared for me." But there is one irritating note in the whole story, explains Haman: "Mordecai the Jew is still unwilling to bow before me." At this point Haman's wife, Zeresh, speaks up and says: "Don't let this miserable Jew spoil your existence. Build a gallows for him so that he may be hanged. And when you are with the king tomorrow morning, ask the king's permission to terminate his life. Then you will be rid of him forever." "Excellent," says Haman, "that's exactly what I will do." The power and influence that lies in the hands of a wife is tremendous - for good or evil. She has the ability to open a trap door through which her husband can fall to oblivion and despair, or erect a ladder by which he can climb to achievement and success. Blessed is the man with a good and godly wife who understands the power and influence that lies within her grasp and coooperates with the Almighty in making her husband the man God wants him to be.

Gracious and loving heavenly Father, thank You for the power and influence that lies within every relationship - especially that of marriage. Help us use that power in the right way and for the right purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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