After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. (Esther 3:1-6)
Today's Morsel: Many diseases are silent killers in that they are silent (no symptoms or only vague symptoms), and they are deadly. There are a number of diseases that are known as "silent killers" because they gradually consume you without causing any serious symptoms in the early stages. Regular medical checkups and early diagnosis of unexplained or vague symptoms can save your life. Hypertension is also called "high blood pressure". Hypertension is a silent killer because it is deadly and has no significant early symptoms. The danger of hypertension is the extra load on the heart, leading to complications such as hypertensive heart disease. Hypertension can also seriously damage the kidneys. And it does all this silently, without any major symptoms, except when the high blood pressure gets extreme. But there is also another silent killer, and that is prejudice. Prejudice is a silent killer, because most people don't think that they are. Many people of all races try to hide their prejudices openly for fear of repercussion, being labeled as such, or job loss. But within, this deadly disease eats away at them. Their minds are constantly thinking evil, causing high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, worry, loneliness, and even nervousness. Not only does prejudice kill you physically, it will kill you spiritual, because you can't have a relationship with Jesus if you have respect to persons. James said that you commit sin, and the wages of sin is death. Haman was prejudice against the Jews. He hated Mordecai, not only because he was a Jew, but because he would not bow to him. This drove him crazy. But when he had a gallows built to hang Mordecai, those same gallows were used to hang him. That's what prejudice does. Prejudice tells you to do evil and to hate others who aren't like you, and pretty soon it will becomes a gallow. And if you aren't careful, you will find yourself hanged by what you desired to do to others. Remember, we always reap what we sow.
Sing: Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence Oh God. Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.
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