READ Esther 6
Haman must honor Mordecai with acts which Haman himself suggested.

INSIGHT
Very few things in the Bible are actually funny. However, taken in isolation, chapter 6 of Esther is probably the funniest event in the Bible. The king asks Haman what he thinks is a good way to honor someone. Haman thinks to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” (6:6). Then he tells the king what he, Haman, would like to have done for himself. The king then responds by telling Haman to do that for Mordecai. The irony is overwhelming—the humor irrepressible. The wrath of man is made to praise God.

PRAYER
God is a God of power and glory, yet He loves to call us His own. Praise Him for His love for us:
My heart is confident, God;
I will sing; I will sing praises
With the whole of my being.  
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.  
I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.  
For your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
And your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  
God, be exalted above the heavens,  
And let your glory be over the whole earth
(Psalm 108:1-5).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this prayer:
I will purify them from all the iniquity
They have committed against me,
And I will forgive all the iniquities
They have committed against me,
Rebelling against me (Jeremiah 33:8).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good  
And what it is the Lord requires of you:  
To act justly, to love faithfulness,  
And to walk humbly with your God
(Micah 6:8).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater wisdom in decision making
• The needs of friends
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
Who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement
And good hope by grace, encourage your hearts
And strengthen you in every good work and word
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).