DEVOTION ~ THE ROYAL POSITION TO ANOTHER

Theme: The Royal Position to Another 

Text: Esther 1:16-22

¹⁶ And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. ¹⁷ For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ ¹⁸ This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. ¹⁹ If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him, and let it be recorded in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it will not be altered, that Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she. ²⁰ When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.” ²¹ And the reply pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan. ²² Then he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, to each province in its own script, and to every people in their own language, that each man should be master in his own house, and speak in the language of his own people.

In today's devotion, we will learn from the punishment queen Vashti was given for disrespecting the king. We've learnt in our previous studies that we are royals through Christ Jesus. We also studied that, if the principles of love and submissiveness are not well balanced in our relationships, we will loose those very dear to us. This was exactly what befell queen Vashti. 

Memucan made it clear that, the queen's attitude isn't just against the king but all those in the province. He explained her bad behavior will influenced other women to disrespect their husband's if she goes unpunished. The church, is the bride of Jesus Christ, and it is the duty of the church (all Christians), as the body of Christ to be submissive to the Lord. The spiritual gift the Lord has given you, is for you to serve God and mankind. If pride sets in, you will loose your royal position to another.

As the bride of Christ, we are the perfect examples to the world on how to serve in humility. We have become the standard for all whether being a male or female Christian. If the Holy Spirit is taken from us, we have no other strength to be able to do the things we are doing now. If the gift of ministration, preaching, teaching, healing, prophecy, and other gifts of the Holy Spirit works in us, we need to make room for God to rule more in us and less of ourselves. If we want to show off that without us things cannot fall right in the church, God will raise a better person than us to occupy the position. 

Serving in humility should not only be in the House of God but in our families, workplaces, community, nation and the world. If you occupy a position in any of the above mentioned areas of life and you're of no good example, you will not keep the title for long. Usually in politics, you will be voted out or against. Likewise in the home or workplaces, you will not get maximum cooperation from others. They will stand against your leadership and your title stripped off you. If you so desire to keep your position and titles as a royal, parent, family head, church leader, politician amongst other positions in life, then be submissive.

Prayer: Dear God, I'm grateful for calling and choosing me to be a royal in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for not understanding the purpose of the title and how irresponsible I've been. I plea the Holy Spirit to lead and teach me to be submissive as I serve. I come against anything that will make me loose my crown by the power of the Holy Spirit. This I pray in Jesus' name. AMEN!