Esther 8:15-17

Esther 8:15-17 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Dusty Baker, a previous manager for the Cincinnati Reds, used to say that you're never as good as they say you are, and you're never as bad as they say you are.  In other words, if you base your opinion of yourself on what others are saying about you, it's easy to swing from high to low and never be certain of exactly who you are.
  Mordecai was once the target of Haman's rage that was intended to have every single Jew killed.  Now, he enjoys time in the presence of the King and wears royal robes.  He enjoys power and prestige.  It would be easy for this to go to his head and forget the low times.
  In our worst times, may we cling to the reality that God can and will accompany us through the valley of the shadow of death.  God knows pain and mourning, and God will not abandon us in those times.  God will redeem, rescue and save, although not always in the ways we understand.
  In the best times, let us remember that they happen because of God's power to redeem, rescue and save.  Here, God has worked through the incredible bravery and courage of Esther to save the Jewish people from destruction.  Others are now pretending to be Jewish because they want to be associated with the Jews.  The Jews are vindicated.
  Our identity lies in the hands of our true rescuer.  We are saved because of the love of Christ, and we are worthy because of what Christ has done for us.  The entirety of the world's hatred cannot take away our status as a redeemed child of God, and we should not forget that when the world's favor is poured out upon us.  We always need God, and defining ourselves first and foremost as God's beloved children helps root us and our identity in the truest thing that can be said about us.