Count Your Blessings

Daily Reading: Esther 5

Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. (Esther 5.9)

Devotional Thought: Last week Grayson, my four year old grandson, was at Disney with his parents.  He was living the dream, having the time of his life.  In the midst of the joy and gladness, however, one of the Disney characters frightened him.  It was during breakfast with the princesses, and his joyful and glad heart was darkened.  Grayson struggled the rest of the time at breakfast.  I felt sorry for the little guy, but I was too far away to do anything about it.  Later, he got past the fear and was able to enjoy the rest of his day.

Haman, the antagonist in Esther, had a day like that.  He was in the court of the king, living the dream and having the time of his life.  He was "joyful and glad of heart."  But, when Mordecai "neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath."  His joyful and glad heart was darkened, but not by fear.  His darkness was due to his petty vanity, jealousy, spite, and anger.

How sad it is when people choose to focus on perceived injustices rather than on real blessings.  I've seen them.  You have too.  And, we would rather get a tooth pulled without Novocain than have to spend an hour with them under their clouds of gloom. 

We all ought to remind ourselves of the blessings of God.  Sure, I have problems.  Everybody does. But instead of complaining about my problems, I'm going to count my blessings!  Like Grayson, I'm going to see past the fear and let the light and the excitement and the blessings of life shine through the gloom.

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I forget life's blessings and instead focus upon life's injustices.  I thank you for all the goodness you have shown me.  Through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118:5-9

5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.