Just a Girl. PRIDE

Pride

Question of the day:  What do you have confidence in?


Just a quick review.  Esther went before the king in all her royal robes, establishing herself, or reminding the king that she was queen.  This was the first time she was called Queen Esther.  Then she invited the king and Haman to a banquet. Haman and the king were drinking and feasting at the banquet.

Now let's read the rest of the chapter....

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[a] and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Let's start with the very first verse.  He was happy and in high spirits... Can you imagine.  You have been given the highest position in the kingdom, everyone has been told that they must bow to you, then the queen invites only you and the king to a banquet where you drink and eat the finest...

You could say he was PUFFED UP! 

We all know the verse in Proverbs right.  "Pride goeth before a fall."  Here is how the message writes this verse.  "First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall." Proverbs 16:18

Pride is a big issue in this story.  It was the pride of the king that made him banish or get rid of queen Vashti.  Pride is the downfall of Haman.  Pride.

Have you ever struggled with pride?

How do we define pride? 

Here is what google says about pride.  Noun 1. a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. 

Pride is an interesting struggle.  It is obviously dangerous.  It is something that the devil uses to destroy may. 

HOWEVER...

How is pride different from confidence?

When I read the definition of pride, it doesn't sound terrible.  It doesn't sound like Haman.  So what makes the difference?

In working with teens, I am often trying to get them to understand what their gifts are, because unless you can acknowledge your gifts you can't develop them.  Unless we develop our gifts we can't use them for God. 

In conversation with adults and kids alike I often hear people who are struggling with a lack of confidence. In those conversations I often hear, "I really struggle with pride."  This coming from a person who is chronically putting themselves down.  

We have to be careful.  If Esther had said to her cousin Mordecai, "No I can't go before the king, I am nothing, I am just a girl and he doesn't like me any more!  There is no way I can do this," Where would we be in this story.  Instead, she put on the royal robes, stating "I am queen." 

If David saw Goliath and said, "I can't... I'm just a boy." Where would that story have been.

What did these characters do that gave them confidence, and didn't take them down the road of pride?

So how can you have confidence and an understanding of the gifts you have been given, and not fall into the trap of pride?

The  dangerous sins and traps originate right between our ears.  It is often just a simple yet difficult mindset.  

1. Acknowledge that you are a child of God.  Know that you are HIS!  That position gives us a beautiful balance. 
2. Acknowledge that all are gifts! You didn't do anything to get them. 
3. Being a child of the King, the King who gave up everything for you, then using your gifts and position is not about you but serving those around you as He serves you.

What set Haman off? 

Have you ever been in a situation where you deserved respect, and didn't get it?

How did you react?

Remember the whole country had been told to bow to Haman, so Mordecai not bowing or even acknowledging him was a "wrong" against Haman.  You could say he had every right to be upset. 

Let's put this in modern terms.  You have been given a position at work such as supervisor and yet your "subordinates" are not showing you the respect you deserve in your position.  What is your reaction? Or what do you do? 

Is this a fair question?

So what did Haman do? 

What role does his wife play? 

Isn't it interesting that 6 or so years earlier the King was advised to make sure he banished his wife, or all the husbands were going to loose control over their wives.  Then here Haman's wife plays a huge roll in this story.  

I am all about being a supportive spouse, is there anything we can learn from this story?

Is there ever a time when we should lovingly put our spouses in their place?  Hmmm wish I was there for this discussion. :)

As a church family, how can we help to build each others confidence and understanding of our gifts and callings without puffing each other up and setting us up for devastating falls? 

What is the opposite of pride?

What is humility? According to the dictionary, "a modest or low view of one's own importance"  Notice it isn't a "low view of one's gifts or abilities."  

So what are some practical things we can do to maintain humility while understanding our abilities, gifts, and callings? 

This past week Mount Pisgah hired a new principal.  I had the privilege of interviewing him for an article I am writing in an attempt to help our constituents get to know him.  As we talked one thing kept coming through loud and clear. That was a confidence in God. A confidence in His power, direction, calling, gifting, and so much more.  It was a beautiful surrendered confidence in God. 

When we really believe in the power of God, when we are daily committing our hearts and lives to Him, then we can navigate life with a confidence that is safely in wrapped up in humility.

How have you seen God working in your life?

Do you see the gifts he has blessed you with?

Do you have confidence in his direction?

Do you have confidence that he is working out his providence in your life?

If you struggle with any of the above I have a challenge for you!

1. Write down the answers to the above questions.  Make out lists! If you come up with nothing, pray about it!  I know that each of you have been blessed with gifts! I also know that God has been working in your life and He will continue to do so.  Just make a point to notice it and give Him credit.  Look up and claim his promises.  A beautiful one is over the door of the sanctuary!  Dwell on that! 

2. If pride is your downfall, then take a moment, ask for forgiveness, and then give him thanks and praise for all that He has accomplished in your life.  If you give Him the glory, and acknowledge Him as the source of it all, then humility will come.  Giving Him the glory takes away your importance and gives all the importance where it belongs.  

Go boldly forward this next week, confident in who you are because of who He is!  Go knowing that humility doesn't mean a lack of confidence.  Focus on having confidence in who God is! 

One last thought.  God gifts us to do great things for Him, so that He may receive glory and honor.  I will leave you with this text.  

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, {3} and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

We have a mighty work to do for our God and if we are prideful we can't do it and if we are unwilling to acknowledge the gifts He has given us and get to work - we can't do it, but if we have confidence in what we can do through and for him then the "splendor of the Lord will be displayed." 

GO and LOVE WELL!