DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 17 June 2025: Decisions Have Consequences
KEY VERSE:
“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” – (Esther 1:12).
READ: Esther 1:1-12 (KJV)
1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;
6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Many times, we act on impulses. We do things without thinking deeply about them, or we are swayed by the desire to please or impress other people. We are oblivious that our actions have impact, for good or ill, on others and on ourselves. And even when we realise this, it is often too late: the damage has been done. Somebody says: “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” Therefore, our future is being written or re-written by the decisions we make.
King Ahasuerus presided over the Persian Empire that spread from India, in present-day Asia, to Ethiopia, in Africa, over 127 provinces. Three years into his reign, he made a great feast that lasted for six months for his princes, generals, and servants. It was an opportunity to display his riches, honour, and majesty. Afterward, he organised another feast for seven days for all the people in Shushan where his palace was located.
The king made lavish provisions for the party, serving guests wine in golden vessels. His wife, Queen Vashti also held a feast for the women in the royal household. On the final day of the feast, when the king and his guests were thoroughly drunk, he made what turned out to be a rash and thoughtless decision. He commanded the queen to be paraded before his guests, to show off her beauty.
This made no sense to the queen, and she refused to obey the king’s command. This eventually led to her dethronement.
We must watch our decisions, particularly when our heart is merry and everyone is applauding and rejoicing with us, or when we are in deep distress and no help seems to be forthcoming. At such a time, we must strive to retain our clarity of thoughts. If we act without thinking, we will leave a trail of consequences that may not be redeemable for the rest of our lives. The grace and wisdom of God can become our saving grace in our moments of decisions.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Today’s decisions are tomorrow’s products.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 4-6
Daily Manna 17 June 2025
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