That night the king had not slept. He had not requested sleeping pills or entertainment. Instead, he had ordered that the record of the events of his reign be read to him. Mordecai’s reporting the assassination plot was read, but nothing was written about how he was rewarded. “Oh, Haman’s in the entry? Let him in! I’ll ask him, ‘What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?’”

Hearing this question, proud Haman thought the king wanted to honor him and answered accordingly. “Let one of the king’s most noble princes array the man in a robe the king has worn, and set him on a royal horse the king has ridden, and parade him through the city proclaiming, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” What a shock to be told to go do all this to Mordecai! He had come to get permission to hang him on the gallows he had built for this purpose. And now he must publicly honor him!

God marvelously makes His plans come to pass. He has raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand. Soon everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will have to bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to God the Father’s glory.

We sing, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, but how He works on behalf of His people is marvelous to behold. His hand can be seen in the minutest details of how He frustrates the purposes of the enemy and makes all things work together for good to those who love Him. This God loves us and is for us! Let us praise His name!