More Precious than Gold
The story of Esther is one of intense spiritual warfare. The devil was trying to destroy God’s people on earth, this time through the evil Haman. This wealthy, influential man persuaded the king of Persia to declare an edict calling for the death of every Jew under his rule, from India to Ethiopia.
The first Jew in Haman’s sight was righteous Mordecai, Esther’s uncle. Haman had gallows built especially for Mordecai, but Esther intervened, calling God’s people to prayer and laying her life on the line to countermand Haman’s order. The king not only reversed the death order, but he gave Haman’s house to Esther, an estate worth millions by today’s standards (see Esther 8:1-2).
Yet Haman’s mansion wasn’t the only spoil taken in this story. Scripture tells us, “The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor” (Esther 8:16, NKJV). These were the true spoils gained in battle with the enemy.
Our trials not only gain us spiritual riches, but they also keep us strong, pure and under continual maintenance. As we put our trust in the Lord, he causes our trials to produce in us a faith more precious than gold. The Apostle Peter understood this well and said, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Jesus plundered the devil at Calvary, stripping him of all power and authority. Paul wrote to the church, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). When Christ rose victorious from the grave, he led an innumerable host of redeemed captives out of Satan’s grasp, and that blood-bought procession is still marching on.
That cooperation begins when we are in the midst of conflict. Our resources are the Christlikeness we win while immersed in battle. They’re the lessons, the faith, the character we gain from warfare with the enemy. There is value in the battle. We can be confident that good will come out of it.
