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| The Daughter That Stepped In |
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| The Gift of Love| Matthew 1:21 |
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”— Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
Long before there was a star in the sky or a song in the air, there was a promise — whispered through prophets and written in eternity — that love Himself would come down to dwell among us.
Not the kind of love that fades when seasons change, but the kind that saves, redeems, and restores.
When Mary held the newborn Jesus, she wasn’t just cradling a child — she was holding the Gift of Love wrapped in humanity.
God didn’t send a warrior to conquer the world by force.
He sent a Savior to conquer hearts through mercy.
This Christmas, the message still rings true:
Love came near.
Love took on flesh.
Love had a name — Jesus.
So wherever you find yourself this season — in celebration, in stillness, or even in struggle — remember that the greatest gift has already been given.
And it was given for you.
True love doesn’t wait for perfection — it reaches into brokenness and calls it redeemed.
Lord,
Thank You for the greatest gift ever given — Your Son, Jesus.
In a world searching for meaning, let us find our hope in Him.
Remind us that love is more than words — it is sacrifice, it is grace,
and it is You.
May Your presence fill our hearts, our homes,
and this holiday season with peace that never ends.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Who in your life needs to be reminded that love has a name — and His name is Jesus?
Share this devotional or send them a word of encouragement today.
Visit the Sanctified Steps page for devotionals that bring faith to life — and watch our Daily Wisdom reflections for more inspiration this season.
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| Haman: The Fall of Pride |
Set within the royal courts of Persia, it stands as an enduring warning about the poison of pride, the danger of unchecked hatred, and the faithfulness of a God who defends His people even when His name is not spoken aloud.
Haman’s name has become synonymous with scheming ambition and ruthless prejudice. He rose high in power, but not in character. His story reminds every heart that when pride builds its gallows, it often ends up hanging its builder.
The Book of Esther opens with opulence—banquets, beauty contests, and royal decrees. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) ruled over 127 provinces, a vast empire of wealth and indulgence. Among his trusted officials was Haman, the son of Hammedatha, an Agagite—descended from the ancient enemies of Israel.
In a world where favor could shift as quickly as the king’s temper, Haman’s rise to prominence seemed almost divine. The king promoted him above all other nobles, commanding that everyone bow before him. Everyone did—except one man: Mordecai, a Jewish exile who feared God more than man.
That single act of defiance ignited the hatred in Haman’s heart. What began as wounded pride turned into an obsession with annihilation.
Unable to bear Mordecai’s refusal to bow, Haman decided it was not enough to punish one man—he wanted to destroy an entire people. He convinced King Ahasuerus to issue a decree permitting the massacre of all Jews throughout the empire.
To choose the day of their destruction, Haman cast the pur—a lot. But what he didn’t know was that even the “lots” are governed by the hand of God.
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” — Proverbs 16:33.
While Haman rejoiced in his power, the unseen hand of heaven was already turning the story upside down.
In the midst of royal decrees and sealed orders, God positioned a deliverer in the palace—Esther, the Jewish queen whom the king loved but whose identity remained hidden.
When Mordecai learned of Haman’s plot, he tore his clothes in mourning and urged Esther to intervene. Risking her life, Esther entered the king’s court uninvited—a move punishable by death—and invited both the king and Haman to a banquet.
Haman, blinded by ego, mistook the invitation as honor. He left boasting to his friends and wife, yet still seething over Mordecai’s defiance. His wife suggested he build a gallows seventy-five feet high to hang Mordecai upon—and he did so immediately.
But that very night, while Haman slept soundly in pride, the king could not sleep.
As he read the royal chronicles, he discovered that Mordecai had once saved his life—and had never been rewarded. In a twist dripping with irony, the next morning the king asked Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Haman, assuming the honor was for himself, described a lavish reward—royal robes, a crown, a parade.
Then came the shock: the king said, “Go at once... do so for Mordecai the Jew.”
The man who plotted another’s humiliation now led his enemy through the streets in honor.
Shamed and enraged, Haman returned home, only to be summoned again to Esther’s second banquet. There, Queen Esther revealed her heritage and exposed Haman’s plot.
The king, in furious disbelief, rose from the table, and when he returned, he found Haman fallen upon the queen’s couch—begging for his life. Misreading the scene as an assault, the king’s wrath flared:
“Will he even assault the queen while I am in the house?”
The words were barely spoken when Haman’s face was covered, and one of the servants spoke: “Behold, the gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai stands at his house.”
The king replied, “Hang him on it.”
And so, it was done.
The very instrument of death Haman built became the stage of his downfall.
God’s justice echoed through the empire—what was meant for evil was turned for good.
1. Pride Blinds Before It Destroys
Haman’s pride made him believe honor belonged to him and power was permanent. Pride always distorts perspective—it makes us see ourselves too high and others too low.
2. Hatred Always Consumes Its Holder
Haman’s rage didn’t destroy Mordecai—it devoured himself. Bitterness always boomerangs; what we release in malice returns in misery.
3. God’s Providence Works in Silence
The Book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet His fingerprints are everywhere—on the sleepless night, the reversed decree, the gallows turned against its builder. God doesn’t have to shout to be sovereign.
4. Humility Is Heaven’s Mark of Honor
While Haman schemed for glory, Mordecai quietly served. When the moment came, humility stood where pride fell.
5. Divine Justice Has Perfect Timing
It may look like evil is winning, but heaven’s justice never misses its hour. When God moves, no gallows stands tall enough to defy Him.
Haman’s story is more than ancient history—it’s a divine parable written in irony.
He built high gallows, but God built higher plans.
He sought to erase a people, but God engraved their deliverance into Scripture.
He tried to silence righteousness, but God gave the righteous the last word.
In every generation, Haman’s spirit still whispers through pride, prejudice, and power gone unchecked. But so does the quiet courage of Esther, the faith of Mordecai, and the sovereignty of a God who never sleeps.
The lesson is simple but eternal:
When pride builds gallows, grace builds deliverance. And the God who turned the story then is still turning them now.