Mordecai - A Man Motivated by What Matters August 27, 2022
Saturday, August 27th
Take5 Devotional today written by Rrachel Fitzpatrick, Local Outreach Director
Mordecai – A Man Motivated by What Matters
Scripture to read today:
Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.
Esther 6:10-12
Mordecai was outfitted in a robe that by today’s standards would be worthy of an Instagram post. And he truly deserved the adulation he received, for he had saved the king’s life, so wouldn’t a bit of strutting be expected?
However, Mordecai wasn’t wowed by all the fanfare. He was a diligent and humble worker, who even after he received no reward for revealing the plot to assassinate the king, continued to serve him with integrity. After he was honored by the king and taken around the city by Haman, Mordecai returned to his duty post. He didn’t allow the honor and momentary prestige to go to his head.
Mordecai didn’t do what he did for the king because he was hoping to be placed in a royal position. He did what he did because it was right in the eyes of God. Jesus touches on this idea when He speaks in Matthew 6:2-4: “So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.…” Although Jesus is speaking of giving to the needy here, the principle should be applied to our good works in general. Mordecai was practicing the simple humility that thousands of years later Jesus would encourage His followers to practice.
No, Mordecai wouldn’t have been posting selfies decked out in the king’s finery. He knew what he was about without the “thumbs up” of others. How many of us do good really for an outcome in our favor, for the likes, the virtue signaling or prestige that seem to put us above others or make us admirable in their eyes?
Suggestion: Prayerfully go through your social media accounts and ask yourself if your posts allow you to follow the example of Mordecai and the teachings of Jesus to “not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” If not, pray for the Holy Spirit to show you how to better live out this principle in the future.