In the House

King Ahasuerus swirled the remains of the wine in his golden, animal shaped vessel before draining it. Satisfied, smile curling his lips, he sat back, hazel eyes twinkling as he observed the rare beauty of his queen. He loved her above all the others. Perhaps even more now that she had exhibited such courage in approaching him without being summoned by him. She was as intriguing as she was beautiful.

The king cast a sidelong glance at Haman, the only other guest save he. Haman wore flowing violet and white robes and a smug expression. The king’s brow furrowed in contemplation as to why she had invited this man to his banquet, both the day before and this; perhaps it was because of his status in the kingdom. His mind circled back around to Esther and her unspoken petition. His thoughts kept returning there since she had risked her life to approach him yesterday.

He was unaware that he had been stroking his wavy, dark beard until he once again cast his eyes upon the young woman who had stolen his heart. He dropped his hand mid-stroke.

“Queen Esther,” he addressed, breaking his rumination, “what is it that you wish? What is your request? Ask and it shall be done for you, up to half of my kingdom!” It was the third time he had spoken to her in this manner. His tone reinforced the sincerity of the promise he made. One eyebrow slightly raised. Did his discriminating eye detect a slight shiver? What was it that perplexed her so?

As if steeling herself, her shoulders squared, her chin slightly tilted up, and she drew a steadying breath. This was the face of the courageous woman that intrigued him.

“If I have found favor in your sight, O King, and if it please the king, I request that you give me my life and the life of my people.”

He sat more upright; his lips slightly parted.

She had his full attention and continued. “I and my people are sold, but not into slavery, for that would not have been worth bothering you. We have been sold, instead, to be destroyed, murdered, and annihilated.”

The king sat forward. Red crept up his neck and met his hairline. “Who is he?” he exploded. “And where is he, that he dares to do such a thing?”

“The adversary and enemy,” she answered, pointing, “is this wicked man, Haman.”

The king nearly toppled the banquet setting at his sudden rising. His full, royal blue and white robes billowed behind him as he stormed from the room to the palace garden. There, he angrily paced, plunging a fist into his other hand. The rings on his fingers clanged and banged as they smacked off one another. Finally, his foot lightened on the ornate stones and he became still. He breathed deeply of the fresh air, ready to return to the room where the banquet was held.

All of the calm he obtained in the garden dissipated when he saw Haman laying across the couch upon which Esther reclined. Of course King Ahasuerus suspected that Haman, the man he had promoted to a position higher than all of the princes who were with him, was groveling, begging the queen for his life, but he had had enough. There is a place where a man’s tolerance no longer exists and Haman had breached it. The king’s chest heaved, veins stood out on his neck and temple, fists were clenched at his sides. His narrowed eyes pierced the despicable man.

“Will he assault the queen while I am in the house?!” he boomed.

His word was all that the alert attendants needed to hear to spring into action. Haman’s face was immediately covered.

“Haman has made gallows at his house for Mordecai (Esther’s relative), who has spoken good on the king’s behalf,” informed Harbonah, one of the chamberlains.

The king did not hesitate. “Hang him there.”

So Haman was hung. Thus the king’s wrath was pacified.

Talk about poetic justice. On this, the second day of the banquet, Haman had to first parade his archenemy, Mordecai, around the town square wearing the king’s finest, mounted on the king’s horse, announcing to all that this was how the king honors someone in whom he delights. To rub salt in the wound, it was Haman’s idea as he wrongfully assumed that it was he that the king wished to honor. That was his morning; his day ended with him swinging.

After the hanging, the king gave Esther Haman’s house who then set Mordecai over it. Long story short, Mordecai got the king’s signet ring, permission to use the king’s name, authority (being only second to the king), fame and respect. He and Esther devised a plan to save their people. Their success was so great, and God’s people so feared, that people converted and joined their side. It was said by Mordecai that the evil Haman devised would be upon his own head and his 10 sons (who were killed in battle) who were also hung for all to see. How’s that for justice?

Jesus took all of our sin and the effects of it on the cross, thus satisfying the wrath of God. Unlike Haman, that was an injustice to the perfect Lamb, the only begotten Son of God. And yet because of His sacrifice, His unfathomable gift to His Father and to us, we can partake of the life He had in heaven — and the one He demonstrated for us while He walked on this earth.

Beloved, do you feel assaulted? in your body? your finances? your emotions? your relationships? IF we have chosen Jesus, then the King is in the house. Pertaining to that, the question King Ahasuerus asked rang in my ears. Will he assault the queen while I am in the house? The revelation brought me to tears.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJ

Esther petitioned the king because she belonged to him. More so, she recognized his power and authority. We belong to the greatest One: Creator, Master, King of kings, LORD of lords, and He lives in us.

This is difficult to bring to you today because people are suffering and it is real. I am battling on several fronts and it is real. But this word brought me to happy tears: God is in the house. What I am facing I am not facing alone. My Savior does not sit idly by. He cares for me. If I could but grasp, like Esther, the magnitude of His power and authority and that He gave that to me (Luke 10:19), then the Hamans in my life would be vanquished. Hold on! God is in the house! Please join me in using the authority that the King gave to us.

LORD, I thank You for this Word. I needed reminded that You are in the house, and greater are You who is in me than he that is in the world. Holy Spirit, cause me to be more aware of Your presence, Your gentle nudging, and Your leading. There are battles I am facing today, battles that have already been won through the cross; remind me that I war from the winning side.

I appreciate You and thank You. You have given me Your name and Your authority. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.