“On that night the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book of records, the annals, and they were read to the king. It was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had conspired to assassinate King Ahasuerus. Then the king said, ‘What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s servants who attended him said, ‘Nothing has been done for him.’” Esther 6:1-3

What do you do when you can’t sleep? What do you read and why do you read it? I may be giving King Ahasuerus too much credit here but it appears he is attempting to review the official records for completeness. Of course it could be that he had the most boring document he could think of brought in to overcome his insomnia. Regardless, isn’t it wonderful that God can change our hearts, even the hearts of royal leadership (or those who think they are)? “John Wesley notes that the schemes of foolish people are nothing to God, who can change the hearts of kings through ‘trivial accidents’ (Notes, 6:1).” The story continues; Haman who is self-serving and guided by his self-centeredness is asked by the King, “What shall be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?” (v6:6b) With his self-centeredness in tack he thinks to himself, “Whom could the king wish to honor more than me?” (v6:6c) He answers so as to honor himself but in God’s providence, causes his enemy to be honored instead. A good deed is honored, a wrong is righted while a self-serving, hater is identified and his success is about to be thwarted. Meanwhile, Esther courageously and patiently speaks using her positon for the greater good. Putting herself at personal risk, she speaks up and against Haman’s efforts to annihilate the Jews. Oh the providence of God, the ability of God to make right among the wrong, to overcome sin from all directions, in its many forms. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God for His prevenient Grace, the move of God that goes before us.