Year of Realization - Day 52: God exalts one and puts down another.

“So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king’s own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, “This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!” Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know that I repeatedly touch on the theme of the importance of humility. However, its importance cannot be overstated. Indeed, if we will not humble ourselves, we are opening ourselves up for humiliation.

Do you remember what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar? Even after having been warned through Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he did not repent and humble himself, a mistake for which he paid a terrible price for seven years.

“As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’ “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus went to a dinner where He noticed many of the people jockeying for a place of honor at the table. He offered them this advice:

“When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Notice that last verse: the best way to be exalted is to humble yourself; but those who exalt themselves, will be forcefully humbled (humiliated).

I want to take a moment to step aside and remind you that the Lord gave us the story of Esther as a paradigm for the things that would occur in this “Year of Realization.” Now, we have already seen some humiliation in the arrogant as truth is revealed; but, we have not seen the last of that. People in high positions will be like a grape plucked from the vine and crushed under foot.

In our opening scripture we see that the worst possible thing that Haman could possibly have imagined has just happened to him: he has had to go throughout the city proclaiming the great glory of the man whom he hates most in the world. If only he knew that it wasn’t going to stop there.

So, for now, let me encourage you to remember that those who lord themselves over you are on borrowed time. But, those who walk humbly before the Lord will be forever exalted.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization