Editor’s Note: The AMI Quiet Times for Dec. 5-6 are written by Doug Tritton of Symphony Church.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Esther 6:1-3

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s young men who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”

Have you ever done something, thinking you would earn recognition, only to find that no recognition or honor was given? That can often be quite painful. It feels good to be recognized, to get that high-five or pat on the back or that “good job.” But sometimes, no one notices what we do. We are left hanging, like an unreciprocated high-five.

In Esther 2, Mordecai helped stop a plot against the king’s life. He and Esther foiled this plot and thus saved the king from being murdered. Yet, no honor was seemingly given to Mordecai for helping the king; his hand was raised for that high-five, but none was given.

But here in Esther 6, as the king was going through the book of memorable deeds, he found the good deed that Mordecai had done for the king. He learned that no honor had been given to Mordecai. Later in the chapter we see the king bestowing great honor on Mordecai, much to the humiliation of Haman.

In our own lives, we may feel like the good deeds we do go unnoticed. We may feel like there is no reason to keep serving or to continue loving others. Maybe we are close to giving up. But remember that verse in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” God has His own book of memorable deeds—and He knows everything we do. No good deed will go unnoticed by Him.

Though we may not see fruit today or may not receive recognition from others, let’s press on in the kingdom work, knowing that our God sees all. Let us look forward to that day when we shall stand before Him and hear Him say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” He will surely not leave us hanging.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You see all we do. Help us to persevere in Your work knowing that we will reap a harvest in due time. And help us not give up but rather keep our eyes on You. Though the world may try to harden our hearts and stop us from loving others, give us strength to keep on going for Your glory.

 Bible Reading for Today: John 13-14

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