Haman the Agagite is an arrogant, prejudiced, hateful, bold-faced liar. He was given a position of honor by King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), but that wasn’t enough for him – he had to be worshipped, as well. And when Haman wasn’t worshipped by Mordecai, he leveled a false charge of disobedience or insubordination against an entire race of people, wrapped it up in an ingratiating package that looked like loyalty and served it up to the king. Deceived, the king obliged him.
Does Haman sound like anyone else you know?? May I speak Southern, ladies? Haman is the devil. (We call all manner of things “the devil” in the south that seek to do us harm – that nosey neighbor, preparing your taxes, cupcakes…. You get the picture.) Now Haman is not LITERALLY the devil, but he has so many of Satan’s characteristics – elevated to a high place, yet wanting the worship due the King (God); arrogant; hate filled; a definite prejudice against God’s people and a liar. In this book, Darlene reminds us of Job’s story, where Satan has an exchange with God about Job, and she calls him a tattletale of sorts; “… who puts God’s people in the worst possible light to discredit our faith as he seeks to tempt and destroy all believers” (page 39). I do agree, but let’s call things as they are – Satan is known in the Bible as the accuser.
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down” (Revelation 12:10 NIV).
To accuse, per the dictionary, is to charge with a shortcoming or error, or charge with a wrongdoing, fault, offense or crime. Sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? Satan, per Revelation, stands before God day and night charging you and me with wrongdoings, with crimes against God, with faults. What did Haman say in verse 8? “They do not obey the King’s laws; it is not in the King’s best interest to tolerate them.” (Esther 2:8, NIV) Furthermore, he suggests that he be allowed to destroy them (verse 9). Unlike the King, God is not deceived! The blood of his son, Jesus, was willingly shed for you to save your life and make you a brand new person! In Psalm 103:12, it says: “He (God) has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.” (NLT) Not perfect? No problem! In 1 John 1:9, John says that “If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV)
Now hear me, sisters. If Satan is working day and night to accuse us before God, and God’s not listening to him, who do you think believes Satan’s lying garbage? We do. What does Satan’s accusations look like? Stop me when this sounds familiar: “You don’t obey God’s commands.” You think God can love you with your past?” “You’ll never be good enough.” “You’ll never amount to anything.” “You aren’t a very good Christian.” “You’ve never finished anything you’ve started. Why even try?” “Do you really think you’re equipped to lead a small group/start a ministry/teach a class/make a difference?” “God doesn’t care about you. Why bother?” Lies, lies, LIES!!! Satan is going to be punished for all eternity, and he’s trying to take everybody with him. If he can’t get God to sign off on you (never happen!), then he’ll try to get you to give up on God.
That’s why Ephesians 6:10-18 is so important . It tells us how to shield ourselves “…against the devil’s schemes” (verse11). This passage tells us about putting on “the armor of God.” There are many ways that we can protect ourselves from Satan’s schemes, but only one way to fight back – with the Word of God, which is called the “sword of the Spirit” (verse 17). When Satan whispers some lie in your ear, tell him (and remind yourself!) what ALMIGHTY GOD says about you! You are LOVED (John 3:16) ! You are REDEEMED (Galatians 3:13, Psalm 107:2). You are PERFECT (Psalms 139:13-14)! You are a CHILD OF THE KING (1 John 3:1)!!
Enough, sisters! Have you allowed Satan to accuse you of things that God refuses to hold against you, or even think about you? No more! If you see yourself as “less than,” let’s ask God to help you see the truth; you are royalty! You are a child of the King!
Let’s pray:
Holy God, I thank You that You love me! Thank you that You willingly sacrificed the life of Your son so that I can live eternally with You! God, I’ll be honest, sometimes it’s hard to see myself as You see me. I see my faults, my failures, my attempts and where I don’t measure up. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever make a difference for Your kingdom, or if I’ll ever be good enough to be used by You. And Satan is constantly attempting to drag me down! Help me, Lord! Help me to see my beauty given to me by You!
Help me to see the talents, giftings, and unique abilities that You have provided me by Your Holy Spirit. Remind me, Lord, in ways that only You can, that I am Your child and am incredibly special. Thank You for Your invaluable Word, Your infinite grace, wisdom and strength! Thank You for every good and perfect gift that comes from You.
Shine Your light of love on me, Lord, so much that it pours out and strengthens others. Help me to remember that through the blood of Your Son Jesus, Satan has NO POWER OVER ME! Praise You, Lord! Let my life be Your glory! In Your Son’s name.
Amen
