Esther 5:9
“Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.”
We can’t base our happiness on circumstances. Happiness is fickle and flighting. Here we have Haman happy at hearing the queen also was delighted in him. However, he will soon learn that happiness can disappear quickly. He interpreted the queen’s invitation completely wrong.
Haman should have received Mordecai and his response to him as a warning. Maybe things aren’t as good as I think they are. When circumstances puzzle us we should look heavenward and ask God for wisdom.
The end of Nehemiah 8:10 says, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This is different than happiness. God’s joy resides deep in us. Circumstances don’t change it. What comes to mind is a device on ships that has hinges on all four sides. The ship could be moving from front to back and side to side and this device keeps it’s center level. That’s how God’s joy is. Our circumstances go every which way, but His joy in us is constant.
We can be happy and see someone who makes our hearts sink. However our deep joy is steady and we know somehow God will work it out. This is amazing. This is a very strong marketing point for God. I should share this more with others.
It’s so hopeful. God loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to be without hope. We don’t have the escape route, but we have the all powerful God who does have it. He wants us to trust in Him for deliverance.
Our circumstances will be all over the place. Yet we don’t have to grieve. He allows us to go through all that to develop trust. He is worthy of it. Thank You, Lord.