Esther 7:7 – A Taste of What’s to Come

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Let’s be honest: there are some parts of Scripture that can seem rather far-fetched. The very notion of every knee bowing before Jesus Christ is surely one of them.

Our world is hostile to Christ. TV shows use him as the butt of their jokes. Lobbyists condemn his word as an oppressive relic of the past. Political leaders wield the levers of power in the fight to cast off his authority.

I live in a country that has put key ethical issues to a public vote; not once, but twice in recent years. The result was conclusive on both occasions: my nation refuses to submit to the clear commands of Jesus Christ. It has been sickening to watch preening politicians joining cheering crowds as they have celebrated such wicked defiance.

Imagine seriously suggesting that these lobbyists and politicians who rebel against Christ will one day bow the knee before him. It beggars belief! Yet, there it is in black and white.

Today we see a verse that helps us believe. Haman despised the one true God. He was an unimaginably wicked man who set his face against the Almighty and set his fury against the Almighty’s people.

He was a powerful man, perhaps more powerful than anyone alive today. Imagine being in Susa back in chapter 3. Imagine predicting that one day Haman would bow before one of the Jews and desperately plead for his life. No-one would believe you! And yet, here he is.

This is a taste of what’s to come. Presidents and prime ministers, journalists and lobbyists; all will bow the knee before the Lord Jesus Christ. If you haven’t yet bowed, you need to do so before it’s too late. If you have bowed before Christ, you need to rejoice that you’re on the winning side.

Questions
1. Who is the one person you cannot imagine bowing before Jesus Christ?
2. Some people will bow joyfully, others will bow because they have no choice. What about you?

Prayer Points
1. Thank God for this taster of what is to come. Pray that he would help you to believe that Jesus Christ will defeat his enemies.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.