The most difficult thing for some people to do is to stand for something. For lack of confidence, they are easily dissuaded by circumstances. They usually follow the line of least resistance, which is, to surrender without putting in serious effort. One man who knew how to defy the odds and stand unwaveringly, uncompromisingly and fearlessly for divinely revealed truth, under intense persecution, was Mordecai. He was neither a prophet nor a priest. He did not see a vision of the future; neither did he hear a voice from heaven. All he had was the limited, written word that he had been taught, which was sufficient for him to stand on. Therefore, God honoured him.

As believers, we must stand up for Jesus in every situation. If we do not stand up for Jesus Christ, the truth and righteousness, we will fall for Satan, falsehood and unrighteousness. If we compromise our faith in times of challenge, trial and persecution, we will be condemned on the last day. But the Lord will honour and grant us a glorious end if we stand on the truth of His word in difficult times.
Mordecai was a non-conformist. Although “all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman,” he singled out himself and “bowed not, nor did him reverence.” He had the courage and conviction to remain unbending. Even when the daily pressure to bow was much on him, “he hearkened not unto them” because “he was a Jew.” The Jews were custodians of revelation, to whom “the oracles of God” were committed. Besides, no other “nation is there so great” like Israel that is so privileged, upright, favoured, committed and graciously chosen by the Lord. Therefore, Mordecai would not bend or bow like other people did. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had the same conviction and commitment of non-conforming Jews. They did not act like the Babylonians or bend to what they worshipped.

Believers are Jews “inwardly.” We are Christians and disciples of Jesus. Our stand on the truth of the scripture and refusal to alter any part of it, even when many people are against us, proves that we are genuinely converted. As Christians, we must see ourselves differently from everyone else and be courageous to “obey God rather than men.” We must “hold fast” our righteousness and “not let it go.” Besides, we are the custodians of the truth by which all men and nations will be judged on the final day. The promises, precepts and life-saving truth have been given to us. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we must be non-conformists and remain unbending in spite of the threats of the day.

“And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” Despite the challenge, persecution and threat of death that Mordecai’s stand brought to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire, they cooperated with him. Though, they were sad and sorrowful, mourned and fasted, seemed hopeless in a helpless situation, they remained uncompromising. As believers, we should understand that there are situations that may arise in our lives that can bring us pressure, sorrow, sadness and grief. In spite of these, we must not compromise our faith. Instead, we should bear our cross as we “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” (Jude 1:3).

Mordecai and the Jews were united and indivisible. The people did not criticise Mordecai for being the cause of their crises and pressure. Like them, we must be of the same conviction and determine that, “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.”
Education, riches and position must not make us compromise our stand. Despite persecution, threats and possible imprisonment, the apostles did not play the blame game, but were united with one heart and soul, and “went every where preaching the word.” We must bear our cross, stand our ground and never yield to compromise. So-called believers who fail to stand for the totality of the truth of the word of God will be ashamed on the final day. But those who refuse to compromise their stand will be rewarded when the Lord comes.

Mordecai showed the evidence of sanctification and he was crowned a conqueror eventually. Refusing to bow or bend despite the pressure and edict that came, thereafter, shows that he was a consecrated child of God. With a circumcised heart, he did all the good he could without asking for reward or recognition. Selfless and self-effacing, he hated and exposed evil. When he saw that some people conspired to lay hands on the king, he did what he would want others to do unto him. After reporting the matter to protect the king, he went back to his dutypost quietly. He lived to glorify God without blowing his trumpet.

Seemingly forgotten by man on earth, Mordecai was remembered by God in heaven. At the right time, he was honoured and crowned. He “was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” Like him, every faithful believer will be remembered and crowned at the right time. Whatever good we do goes on record and it will be revealed at the right time. Saved and sanctified, the Lord wants us to stand up for His revealed truth unwaveringly in order to receive our reward on the final day.

• Further reading (King James Version): Esther 3:1-6; 10:3. Esther 3:2,4; Romans 3:1,2; 9:4; 2:29; Deuteronomy 4:7,8; Nehemiah 9:13,14; Psalm 147:19,20; Daniel 3:8-12,15-17; Acts 5:27-29; Job 27:5,6; Revelation 2:25-29. Esther 4:1-3; Exodus 24:3,7; Nehemiah 9:25; Acts 4:18-20,32; 8:1,3,4; Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:8,12; 1 Peter 4:16,17; 1 John 2:28. Esther 2:21-23; 5:9,14; 6:1-13; 7:9,10; 10:2,3.