Title: "The Importance of Thanks Giving"
Text: (Est 6:1-3) On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
Four Reasons why it is so important to say, "Thank you?"
1. You’ll have a better night’s sleep if you learn to say "thank you."
The King could not sleep. God had awakened him.
If a person goes to bed bringing all of his daily burdens and worries within, his sleep will be taken from him. How much better to lay our head upon the lap of our Good Shepherd reciting to ourselves of his “goodness and mercy,†than it is to try to fall to sleep under the heavy weight of our multiplying problems.
2. Someone’s life may depend upon you saying "thank you."
When the King could not sleep, he called for the Chronicles to be read to him. The passage was read concerning how that Mordecai, the Jew, had foiled a plot against the King. Mordecai had literally put his life on the line for King Ahasueras. The King asked the question, "How have we honored this man who has saved my life?" The response, "Nothing hath been done." How sad...
Has anyone gone out of there way on your behalf? Have you as much as even sent them a "Thank you" card?
King Ahasueras had a high ranking and high minded government official in his kingdom who hated Mordecai the Jew. Haman thought of himself as a god. Mordecai would not bow down to him as he passed by. The day following the King’s dream, Haman wanted to ask the King for permission to have Mordecai hung from his newly constructed gallows. Mordecai life was in danger.
As the story unfolds, before Haman could ask the King for the head of Mordecai, the King asked of him, "How shall I honor the man who has honored me?" In his pride, Haman assumed himself to be that man. Read how the story unfolds:
(Est 6:7-12) And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
The truth is that the words "Thank You" literary saved the life of Mordecai.
Perhaps you know of someone who Satan has in his grips. Your words of encouragement could be the very thing that could cause them to want to go on with their lives. May God use us to encourage others who are struggling in the hardships of life. How important it is to say "Thank you." Someone’s life may depend upon it!
3. You will encourage those who are doing the right thing.
Most people are only concerned about their own personal welfare. However, Mordecai was concerned about the welfare of the King. He put his life on the line to spare King Ahasuerus.
It is extremely sad and wrong that corrupt and vile people so often receive the applause and accolades of men. When we fail to encourage the "Mordecai’s" of the kingdom, the "Haman’s" of the Kingdom will thrive.
On this Thanksgiving Day, may we make some telephone calls, and send some emails, and make some personal visits, to encourage those who are striving to do right! Thank God for Christian mothers... the nursery workers of our church... the Sunday school teachers, etc. and all those who would assist others in their moving forward on the pathway of righteousness.
4. Saying "Thank you" is the essence of the salvation experience.
Do you know someone who was willing to lay down his life for yours? I do. His name is Jesus. Saying "Thank you" is the essence of the salvation experience. When a person comes to Christ he is acknowledging what Christ has done for him at the Cross whereby he died to forgive them of our sins, he was buried, and he rose again that they might be justified in the sight of God the Father. Christ died to save us!
Have you said, "Thank You" for the glorious gift of salvation, or are you yet asleep? May God use this message to awaken your heart.
As Mordecai was placed upon the donkey and honored as King for a day, may we too, honor our King, by acknowledging him as our Savior and Lord!
