Emmanuel Almond Ministries

01st JAN 2009 – New Year Message
The 7 Characteristics of Mordecai

For Mordecai was great in the kings house, & his fame went out throughout all provinces, & this man Mordecai waxed greater & greater.
ESTHER 9:4

Praise be to the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord is good and His mercy endureth for ever (PS 106:1). As we start another new year, ‘let us give thanks unto our Lord; call upon His name and make known His deeds among the people; (PS 105:1). Yes, we have not been consumed for His compassions fail not, they are new every morning, great is His faithfulness (LAM3:22/23). We worship a God who cares for us (1 PET 5:7). So, as we start another year let us ‘cast our burdens upon Him, for He shall sustain us’ (PS 55:22).

We are living in times when everyone cares for themselves. We are too busy with our own work, with our commitments, with our own interest that we hardly bother to care for others. We are hardly concerned, about those who suffer, about the widows, about the fatherless, about the poor and the lesser privileged. Why we sometimes even don’t have time for our very near and dear ones! We cite our own reasons.

Today, as we read and look at Mordecai’s life, First of all, we find that Mordecai was a man who cared for others. For his loved ones. We read in the book of Esther that Mordecai took Esther to be his own daughter as she was an orphan (ESTH 2:7). ESTH 2:11 says, that Mordecai walked every day before the women’s court to find out about his daughter – Esther. Yes, he was concerned about his own. He cared. JAMES 1: 27 says, ‘pure religion and undefiled before the God is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world’. JER 7:6/7 says, ‘don’t oppress the fatherless and the widows, then I shall cause you to dwell in this place for ever and ever.’ But, how is our life today? Do we care for others? Are we concerned about our near and loved ones? Do we care for the fatherless and the widows? As Parents are we concerned and do we care for our children? We hear of more and more divorces and family problems where families are getting separated. As Children do we take care of our old parents? We hear of more and more of parents being neglected, staying in old ages homes where the children don’t even visit them! As Husbands and Wives do we live a life that is pleasing to the Lord? Caring and loving one another? We read and hear of people leading ‘double life’. As Brothers and Sisters are we concerned for each other? Do we care and are concerned about our Church? 1 TIM 5:8 says, ‘but if you don’t provide for your own, especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an infidel.’! We need to check our lives as we start this New Year.

We need to be like Mordecai. He cared for Esther. He taught her (ESTH 2: 10/20). The Bible says, that we need to teach our children about the Word of God and about God’s greatness (DEUT 4:9/10). Then we will have great peace because of our children because they would be taught of the Lord (ISAI 54:13).

Secondly, we find that Mordecai waited upon the Lord. He did not take any undue privilege or advantage just because his daughter was a Queen. He sat at the gate and waited for his time of blessing to come from the Lord. PSA 37:34 says, ‘wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land.’ ISAI 40:31 says, ‘But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.’ How are we today? Are we waiting upon the Word of God? Or are we trying to take advantage or privilege because of our position, our contacts etc?

Thirdly, we find Mordecai was diligent in his work. Mordecai sat at the king’s gate. He did not think it to be demeaning. He was faithful and diligent in his work/calling. How are we today? Do we think that the work, the calling or the ministry entrusted upon us by the Lord is demeaning? We need to be faithful and diligent in our work/calling. PROV 22:29 says, ‘see a man diligent in his work/business? he shall stand before kings.’ Amen! Yes, ‘all the promises of God in him are yea and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us (2 COR 1:20)’.

ISAI 55:11 says, ‘that the Word that comes out of the mouth of God will not return unto Him void, it will accomplish that which He pleases and prosper in the thing sent unto.’ If God has said that we will stand before kings when we are diligent then we will stand before kings. ‘For God is not a man that he should lie’ (NUM 23:19). HEB 10:23 says, ‘let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful’. Yes, Mordecai was diligent. That’s why he hears and knows about the plot to harm the king. This man of God informs the king about the plot to harm him. It is found true and this deed is written in the book of chronicles. Just written and recorded in the king’s book. No recognition! No promotion! No Awards! No praise or accolades!

Fourthly, Mordecai did not get discouraged/dejected or upset. There was no recognition, promotion or honour for his diligence and faithfulness. But, did Mordecai get upset? Did he get dejected? Did he get discouraged? NO! How are we in our life? We tend to get easily upset, easily dejected or discouraged when we are not recognized. When a promotion doesn’t come our way we fret. We murmur. And at times we go astray from God and His love and plans. Today, you may be reading this thinking ‘what good has happened for my integrity? What good has happened for my faithfulness and diligence? What good has happened for living a life that a pleasing to God? Cheer up. Don’t be discouraged. HEB 6: 10 says, ‘God is not unrighteous to forget your work and love of labour which you have showed towards His name and His saints.’ PSA 18:20 says, “The Lord rewards us according to our righteousness.” 2 CHR 15:7 says, “let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” Amen. Hallelujah. Yes, cheer up dear friends in Christ. Don’t be discouraged and dejected. For He who promised is faithful (HEB 10:23). Your reward, your recognition, your healing, your blessing, your dreams or vision and the promised prophecy is around the corner. For the Word says in HAB 2: 3, “for the vision is for an appointed time. Though it tarry it shall surely come, it will not tarry.” EZEK 12:28, says, “there shall none of my words be prolonged anymore, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, says the Lord.” Yes, JER 33:14 says, behold the days come says the Lord, that He will perform that good thing that He promised.” Amen.

Fifthly, we see Mordecai honoured the King of kings more than the king. Yes, Mordecai was not ashamed of His God. Nor was he willing to compromise of his faith. He did not want to bow down before men based on his king’s word. He wanted to honour the Word of the King of kings. Mordecai was not afraid of any man. The spirit of God in him would have said ‘promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the south. For God is the judge, He puts down one and lifts another (PSA 75:6/7). PSA 113: 7/8 says, “God lifts up the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the dunghill; That He may set him with princes.” PROV 8:15 says, “that by Him (God) kings reign.” Yes, when we honour Him, He honours us. I have tasted and seen this in my own life. Not once or twice but time and again. For 1 SAM 2:30 says, “them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall lightly be esteemed.” MAR 8:38 says, “whoever is ashamed of the Lord and His words of him shall the Lord be ashamed.” Lord Jesus says in MATH 10:32/33, “whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father in heaven”. A few years ago I honoured our Lord, in front of many non-Christians of whom many were holding powerful and prestigious secular posts/positions, in one of the major Rotary meeting. And within one year in front of the very same crowd and in the whole state the Lord honoured me beyond my wildest dreams and imagination. That’s why the Word says in EPH 3:20, that, ‘He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” Yes, Mordecai was bold. He was not going to bow down to any man. He was ready to suffer if it was necessary. 2 TIM 2: 12 says, if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He shall also deny us.” How is our life today? Are we bowing down to man? Is our family, our position, our job, our fame, our calling or our ministry more important to us than the King of kings? That we are worshipping and bowing down to these more than bowing and worshipping the King of kings? In that case we need to repent and set our life right before God. ACTS 10:25/26, REV 19:10 says clearly that we should not bow down or worship even to angels or saints of God.

ESTH 3:4 says, Mordecai was under pressure to obey the king to bow down to a man and thus to sin. Today, are we living under pressure to sin? Pressure to go away from the calling and blessing of God? What is the pressure and temptation in your life today to sin? Is it to cheat or steal? Is it to lust or commit adultery? Is it to leave your first love for Jesus Christ? Is it addiction to other worldly and materiel things? TV? Music? Novels?

We need to be like Mordecai. We need to fear our Lord and honour Him more than anything else.

Sixthly, Mordecai knew the Word of God. EXD 20:3-5 says, “thou shall not have any other gods, nor make any graven images, or bow down thyself to them or serve them.” How are we today? Do we know the Word of God? 2 TIM 3:16 says, “all Scripture is given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” PSA 119:89 & 105 say that ‘the Word is forever settled in heaven, and His Word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.” PRO 4:22 and JOH 6:63 say that ‘the Word is health, life and spirit unto us.” That’s why our Lord Jesus says in MATH 4:4 that ‘man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” So, let us hold forth to the Word of life (PHIL 2:16). For when we do so, we will not fear what flesh can do to us (PSA 56:4). For we will know that ‘no weapon formed against us will prosper (ISAI 54:17). We will know the Word from PSALM 91, 121 and will know, if God be for us then who can be against us (ROM 8:31). Yes, we need not be afraid of what flesh/man can do against us. Mordecai wasn’t afraid of Haman. Haman was angry and upset and plots against the child of God. Probably he did not know the Word! For the Word says in JOB 5:12, “God disappoints the devices of the crafty and their hands can not perform their enterprise.” PSA 37:12/13 says, ‘the wicked plots against the just, but the Lord shall laugh at him, for He sees his day coming.” PSA 33:10 says, “the Lord brings the counsel of the heathen to nought.” We worship a mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, the Wonderful Counsellor – Immanuel – God with us – The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Hallelujah. Amen. Yes, what God has purposed who can change it? (ISAI 14:24/27).That’s why we read in ESTH 6:3, that the king is not able to sleep. Because the King of kings wants to make sure that Mordecai is honoured. Yes, the time had come for God to lift His child. Yes, the year has come for God to lift His children up. Hallelujah. God does not give sleep to the king. Yes, the Word says in PSA 127:2, that He gives sleep to His beloved! The king goes through the book of chronicles and asks ‘what honour have we given Mordecai for saving my life?’ Yes, no one had to recommend. No one had to remind. God made sure that when He remembers His children then no one can forget them! Amen. Yes, God will put it in the hearts and minds of people to honour, to bless and to provide for His children. What a wonderful God we worship. He makes Mordecai’s enemy to honour him. That’s why in PSA 23:5 we read that ‘He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, our cup overflows”! Hallelujah.

But Mordecai’s story and God’s plan in His life is not over! Finally, seventhly, we find that Mordecai is Humble. Yes, in ESTH 6:12 we read that even after all the honour, recognition and praises that Mordecai goes back to sit at the gate of the king!! What a humble man. He does not want to gloat over his recognition and honour. He is diligent and goes back to work – at the place where he was – at the gate! How are we today? Are we humble in our lives? Or are we gloating over our honour, our success, our achievements, our victories et al? The Word says in JAMES 4:6 that ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” MATH 23:12 says, ‘whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” 1 PET 5:6/7 says, ‘humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” How are we today? Are we proud because of our accomplishments? Are we proud because of our success? Are we proud because of our Calling? Are we proud because of our family/status? Let us humble ourselves. Let us understand that ‘we can do all things only through Jesus Christ” (PHIL 4:13). That ‘we can not do anything by might nor power, but only by His Spirit” (ZECH 4:6). Yes, give unto the Lord all the glory due to Him (1 CHR 16:29). For Jesus Christ is worthy to receive all glory, honour and power (REV 4:11). God honoured His humble child beyond his wildest dreams. He will do it in your life too. Mordecai is set over the house of his enemy! (ESTH 8:3). Further, the king says to Mordecai, ‘write and proclaim the decree, whatever you want, in my name and I will seal it’!!! What a great privilege. What a great blessing.

My dear friends in Christ, the God of Mordecai is alive today. He is giving you the same promise for this year- 2009. ISAI 44:26 says, ‘He confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers”! Yes, when we speak it will come to pass. God will honour what we say. But, are we like Mordecai? Mordecai had 7 qualities that pleased his creator. (1) He Cared for others. (2) He Waited on the Lord. (3) He was Diligent in his work. (4) He did Not Get Discouraged/Dejected. (5) He Honoured God. (6) He Knew The Word. (7) He was Humble. Yes, we need to be like this man of God. Then in this year God will honour us, His children, like He honoured and lifted Mordecai. Yes, ‘let us be confident that He which has begun a good work will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ‘(PHIL 1:6). Yes, He will make it perfect that which concerns us (PSA 138:8). For the Word says in HEB 11:40, ‘God has provided something better for us, that they without us should not be made perfect”. Hallelujah. Yes, cheer up. Are we ready to receive His promise? Are we ready to receive His Word? Are we ready to receive His blessing? Because the God of Mordecai wants to bless us as He blessed Mordecai. We will be great in the house of the King of kings. Our fame will go out from place to place. Yes, we will wax greater and greater. For He who has promised is faithful; (HEB 10:23). MAR 5:36 & JOHN 11:40 say, if we believe then we will see the glory of God. So, let us call upon this loving, compassionate and great God – our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The one who died for us that we through Him may have eternal life (JOH3:16). Jesus said, ‘if you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it’ (JOHN 14:14). God is looking at your heart today. He does not see as men see it, but He is looking deep within you (1 SAM 16:7). If you are still in bondage, in addiction, in sin, in pride then repent. Cry out to God. Say, ‘create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me (PSA 51:10/11). If you are struggling in your faith then say, ‘Lord I believe, help my unbelief’ (MAR 9:24). Look to the author and finisher of our faith – Jesus Christ (HEB 12:2). Draw near to God for then He will draw near to you (JAMES 4:8). That’s why Jesus Christ said in JOHN 6:37, ‘him that cometh to me I will no wise cast out’. Yes, then His grace will be sufficient for you and His strength will be made perfect in your weakness (2 COR 12:9). Then ‘you shall ask in His name (Jesus Christ) and you shall receive and your joy may be full (JOH 16:24). Yes, let us ask Him, seek Him and He will open the door for us and we shall receive and find Him (MATH 7: 7-11). Then we will know that ‘all the promises of God are yea and in Him Amen’ (2 COR 1:20). Then we will testify that the God who blessed and lifted Mordecai does the same, today too, in our life. Yes, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and for ever’ (HEB 13:8). The blessing that Mordecai received is for us too. May God bless those who believe this as it is written in ESTHER 9:4. Amen.

IF THIS MESSAGE HAS TOUCHED YOU OR HAS BEEN A BLESSING IN YOUR LIFE THEN KINDLY WRITE YOUR TESTIMONY TO THANK AND GLORIFY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND HONOUR YOU, EVEN MORE, AS YOU DO SO.