10/22/25

A good deed had been done long before but it seemed as if no one had noticed. There was no thank you given, no honorary meal was prepared, and no one was speaking about it. The life of royalty was saved and very few knew it had happened. This is the way God says it should be, yet the world says recognition must be given, and it must be immediate. If we follow the world's way of thinking, the reward will be recognition, but if we follow God's way, the reward will be life, multiplied for many. The king had men unbeknownst to him in his immediate proximity ready to secretly kill him. Yet Mordecai heard of the plan and saved the king. The next day, no thanks were given, and everybody carried on just as they had the day before. There was no pat on the back. No plaque was placed in the break room. No write-up in the paper. Instead, it was recorded secretly in the book of records and sealed away for safekeeping. Today people want everyone to know. We announce it if we pick up a piece of garbage, or put up a dish. I remember the joke of the man who went to the door and hollered at his wife who was sealing the blacktop on the driveway, "Honey I just wanted you to know I put my dirty glass in the dishwasher for you." No matter how small or how big, we must ensure that our good deed is known. Our text reveals Mordecai didn't care and instead just went about his work without telling anyone. Esther 6:2 NASB95 It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

The king, a long time later, had it providentially reminded to him what Mordecai had done. Now Mordecai was in trouble, and the King, not knowing this, sought to recognize Mordecai at this time. Because the recognition and reward didn't happen earlier it happened at just the right time (God's time) so as to save the life of Mordecai. He, instead of being killed, was honored by the man who sought to kill him. Forced to do so the man was distraught.

We can proclaim our recognition now and receive our reward at the moment it benefits no one. Or we can remain quiet and be rewarded God's way in God's timing while understanding we deserve eternity in hell but are blessed by God's Grace.

Matthew 6:1-4 NASB95 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Don't seek a reward. We all struggle with this. I get so frustrated with myself for this very thing. The best way to succeed in this is to understand what we deserve so we won't seek what we don't deserve.

Romans 3:23 NASB95 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 NASB95 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We deserve death.

We have no reason to boast! It is God who does every good thing through us.

Instead of sharing what we have done let's praise what God is doing.

Love Bro. Scott