All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. — Esther 3:2
While Esther is looked upon as the official hero of the story for saving her people, the Jews, it was her Uncle Mordecai who laid the groundwork for that salvation.
In Esther chapter 3, as Haman ascended to power, Mordecai alone refused to bow to this evil man. From there, the story took twists and turns that ultimately led to Haman’s own destruction. But it was Mordecai’s courage to stand up to Haman that brought about the elimination of evil and salvation for the Jews.
The festival of Purim, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the story of courageous Queen Esther. This year, Purim is celebrated at sundown March 9 to sundown March 10.
It’s not always easy to stand up for the truth. It is not easy to fight against long-held prejudices. But knowing that men and women of faith have done so before us, gives us strength to make our own courageous decisions.
As renowned British statesman Winston Churchill said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities … because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” In a world that seems to have lost its moral compass, it is imperative that we teach our children how to navigate and follow a faith-based journey through life with courage and determination.
History is filled with individuals who had the courage to take a solitary stand against popular thinking and changed our world for the better.
Abraham taught the world about monotheism, justice, and kindness in spite of the prevailing ideology of idolatry, hostility, and immorality. Moses challenged Pharaoh, the leader of the greatest power of his time, broke the yoke of Egyptian slavery and walked the Israelites to freedom. Jael, a woman, had the courage to kill Sisera, the commander of the army of Jabin, king of Canaan, the wicked enemy of Israel, even though her own people were in an alliance with him.
Free your mind, do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”, be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6), be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-9), The devil is not a lion that can devour, he is LIKE a lion, and that is the truth, take a stand for the truth. There is only One Lion, the Lion of Judah, the Messiah, that is Jesus Christ, He is the way and the truth and the life. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth.
