No One Can Stand Against God’s Plan

Have you ever had to stand up for something when nobody else would? If we’re being honest with ourselves, it’s not a great feeling to be the only one against the majority. Depending on the circumstances, it can even be dangerous to be on the side of the minority.

The story of Esther has always been one I loved ever since I was little. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to save an entire people, standing up to the king in the name of the Lord. I couldn’t wait to make a bold move like that in my own life. Then real life hit, and I was faced with some really hard decisions—truly testing my faith and boldness. I quickly learned that it’s not always easy to stand up for the truth or what’s right, especially in the name of the Lord.

In Esther 6:2*, we read how Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king’s private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes. The king found out about this and wanted to publicly honor Mordecai for his act of loyalty and bravery. When the king approached Haman about what he could do to “honor a man who truly pleases me” (Esther 6:6*), Haman thought the man to be honored was himself. After answering the king, Haman quickly realized plans were for Mordecai and not him. Infuriated and embarrassed, Haman plotted to kill Mordecai.

When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.” (Esther 6:13*)

I love this part: “He is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.” I believe Haman’s wife and friends knew that Mordecai had the favor of God upon him, and that nothing could stand against God’s plan.

Queen Esther exposed Haman to the king, ultimately having him impaled on the same pole that Haman built to impale Mordecai. What Haman had prepared for Mordechai’s destruction became the instrument of his own death. His efforts were turned against him. Once a highly regarded and favored official to the king, Haman became an enemy when he turned on God’s people.

There are a lot of lessons we can pull from the book of Esther, but this is one I think we should be reminded of often.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31*)

When we are standing up for the truth of God and will of God, what can stand against us? Friend, I want to encourage you to walk boldly today, knowing that God has your back as you walk with Him. Do not be afraid of man, for with God, who can stand against us?

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.