Total victory of God's people

The book of Esther records the story of how the Jews were saved from the plot of Haman, "the enemy of the Jews." Haman rose to be second in command under King Xerxes of Persia. His hatred of and enragement against Mordecai the Jew who refused to bow down to him was extended to all the Jews, whom he labeled to the king as so different from all other peoples under his rule that they disobeyed the laws and were not beneficial to the king's interests. Haman even offered to spend his own money to help kill the Jews. This massive destruction was about to happen with the king's approval, until Esther, Mordecai's cousin, petitioned for her own life and that of her people. Haman's scheme was then exposed and a counter-order went out from the king to allow the Jews to defend and protect themselves and to kill their enemies. Haman and his ten sons were killed as well as thousands who were enemies of the Jews. Upon this, "many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them" (Esther 8:16).

The victory that God gives to His people is total and complete. His people do not just barely survive the hardship, but they utterly overcome it and annihilate the enemies. Upon hearing how God dried up the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to walk away from the Pharaoh's pursuit and how God and His people completely destroyed the two kings of Amorites on the east side of the Jordan, the people of Jericho reacted with their hearts "melted" and everone's courage failed (Joshua 2:11). When Joshua later completely destroyed the 5 kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, even commanding the sun and the moon to stop, all the remaining Canaanites were so distraught that "no one uttered a word against the Israelites" (Joshua 10:21). In Korean translation, the expression is even stronger: "혀를 놀려 이스라엘 자손을 대적하는 자가 없었더라" ("no one dared to move their tongue against the sons of Israel.") This is truly a description of total fear and awe of the Israelites, so that their enemies could not muster enough courage even to say a few words against Israel even in their private camps. David sings in his famous psalm: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." (Psalm 23:5). The celebratory table and the anointing are taking place in the presence of the enemies, who have to participate in the celebration either grudgingly or willingly.

While on earth, we Christians are like strangers and aliens (Hebrews 11:13). Although we live in the world, we are not of the world (John 17:15-16). Because we are not of the world, we may be misunderstood, mistreated, and even hated by the people of the world -- sometimes seemingly for no good reason. It is a fact of life that while in this world, we will encounter trouble. But Jesus tells us, "take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Because the One who is in us is greater than the one in the world, it is a foregone conclusion that we will overcome the world (I John 4:4).

Lord, I do believe that you have overcome the world. As a result, I will overcome the world as well. Let me not be disheartened with a short-term trouble, but have faith and hope in you and the ultimately victory you will bring to us. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.