Ladies, stop and think right now.  Ask yourself, “What do I need to make me happy?  What is missing in my life?” Now watch to see what makes Haman happy.   Esther Chapter 5 Esther Approaches the King 1 On the third day, Esther dressed up in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. The king extended the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked her. “Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.” 5 The king commanded, “Hurry, and get Haman so we can do as Esther has requested.”  So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, “Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” 7 Esther answered, “[This is]my petition and my request: 8 If the king approves of me and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked.” 9 That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King’s Gate, and Mordecai didn’t rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. 10 Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him. 11 Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had promoted him in rank and given him a high position over the other officials and the royal staff. 12 “What’s more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she had prepared. I am invited again tomorrow to join her with the king. 13 Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s Gate all the time.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows 75 feet high. Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.    Ladies, I see a very sad parallel between Haman and ourselves.  Haman had just been given a promotion and more wealth.  He went home and told his friends and family all about what he had and had been given.  But then he utters a very sad testimony, “Still, none of this satisfies me since…” Count your blessings.  When we become focused on what we do not have or what we think we “need,” we become dissatisfied.  There is an old saying that seems to be very true:  The more we have; the more we want. There is also a cold, hard fact that we often forget:  Only Jesus can satisfy you. When we start looking to things or people, we will be disappointed.  Your husband, your children, your friends, your job, your material possessions – all these people and things only bring temporary satisfaction.  Only Jesus can meet your deepest need. If you are a Christian, you may know this, but not be practicing this truth.  When we stray from our daily prayer time and Bible study, it becomes very easy to focus on things other than Jesus.  We forget that He alone can supply all of our needs.  We forget that only through Him can we do all things – and that includes your job, your dishes, your clothes, your washing – ALL things!! Another thing that we do as women is that we worry.  Oops!  That’s that “w” word.  We worry.  We keep focusing on the one person who doesn’t like us.  We focus on the one circumstance that we can’t change.  We focus on the one thing that is wrong in our lives and we forget to count our blessings.  We forget the admonition of Paul – Philippians 4:4-9 (HCSB) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Paul was pretty clear; and he was in prison.  Rejoice, pray, DON”T worry, be gracious, and dwell on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and of moral excellence.  That list does not include sickness, death, broken appliances, finances, broken relationships that can’t be fixed, and what might happen. Don’t be like Haman who had just been given many things in which to rejoice, but the one thing that he could not have was all that he focused on.  And then he took his worry a step farther; he was going to try and get revenge.  Of course, we know that Haman would be hung on his own gallows.  That’s what happens to us when we try to be in control of our lives and when we try to take revenge.  God said that He is in control and that revenge belongs to Him. Jesus came to bring abundant life, but you can’t have it if you don’t follow the instructions given to us in God’s Word. **Lord Jesus, help me to rest in You.  You promised peace to those who would trust in You.  Help me to pray and stay focused on the good things – on my blessings.  Thank You, Jesus, for always being there for me.  Amen.