When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4:1-3 (ESV)
These few verses tell us that Mordecai was distraught after receiving the decree from Haman, but he was not sorry for refusing to bow down to him. Instead, Mordecai repented for the sins of Israel that had caused them to be in exile, which put them in this position of crisis and danger.
Mordecai's story applies to us in present times. When we are troubled, we can be sad and sorry for the wrong reasons. Instead, we should be like Mordecai. Repent and ask for God’s protection and forgiveness. We should always put our faith and trust in Him.
Dear Heavenly Father, whenever we are in trouble, may You always remind us to look up to You. We need to repent for the right reasons, always ask for Your protection and forgiveness. You are our rock, our refuge and our saviour, You always save us from violence and crises. In Your mighty name we pray, Amen!
Florence Lam
