Year of Realization - Day 15: There’s always an opportunity to bow.

“And all the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or pay homage.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever wondered why when seemingly very principled people are put into a high political office, that somewhere along the line, they are compromised and end up doing the very things they once campaigned against?

Some people reference these enmeshed and compromised politicians as being “the swamp.” Sadly, the swamp continues to grow by absorbing new “victims” into the collective.

I use the term “victims,” not because they are without responsibility for falling into temptation, but because they are actually being used (victimized) by forces of evil to tip the balance of power in the direction of their evil agenda.

People at the very top of the pyramid of corruption use enticements such as money, position, sex, notoriety, etc., to compromise people, neutralizing them in terms of their ability to challenge the workings of the swamp.

Make no mistake, any time you take a stand for what is right, you will, in the not too distant future, be given the opportunity to bow to the very evil you once were trying to uncover and ferret out.

Once solidly connected into the swamp, it can become a sort of boa constrictor, effecting a tighter and tighter grip on your compromised soul until it devours you and spits out your bones.

Now, I know that sounds rather dramatic; but honestly, what I have seen people do to maintain their position is sickening.

In our opening scripture we see that Hamon—for whatever reason—has been promoted to a very high position. At this point, Mordecai could have decided that it was in his best interest to just go along to get along and bow before Haman’s “glory.” Rather, he chose to continue to be who he always was.

Surely this affront to the powers that be will result in some sort of retribution! Indeed, we will see more about that very soon.

Now, if you have taken a stand for what is right, please understand, the temptation to bow before the very evil you were formerly exposing, may not come in an obvious way. Rather, the invitation to bow before evil, often first comes in a very subtle way. Only the Holy Spirit within you can keep you from the seduction traps that the enemy of your soul will place in your path.

In fact, you may not even see your first steps toward compromise as being bowing to evil; you may just see that action (or inaction) as being expedient, maybe even smart business. That’s even more of a reason to follow this word of caution from our Lord:

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don’t become a victim of the devil’s swamp.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization