In Esther 5 vs. 9, Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Haman was a popular figure among the princes that worked with the King, he was revered and highly respected; most people honoured Haman, but Mordecai would have none of that. Haman was a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king that was spared by King Saul (see 1 Samuel 15). God did not like the Amalekites; and Mordecai followed suit. He refused to bow to Amalek.
Friend, if the Lord has not approved of it, don’t bow to it. Don’t bow to whatever the Lord has spoken against; don’t bow to whatever the Lord has not approved of; don’t bow to whatever is not of God; don’t accept anything that is contrary to God’s promise in your life; don’t bow to the pressure of the enemy to push you into sin; don’t bow to the deception of the enemy to love what the Lord has hated. Don’t bow to your ‘Amalek’.
Mordecai seemed to have understood that Haman, being an Amalekite, should be the one bowing to him and not him bowing to Haman. So even when everyone felt it was okay to bow to Haman, Mordecai wouldn’t bulge. Even if others have accepted to bow to the ‘Hamans’ of this world, don’t join them. Even if people around you have bowed to the things that are not of God, don’t join them to bow.
It is not arrogance to know who you are and who God has made you; it is not arrogance to remember God’s word concerning you and therefore reject what is against God’s word for your life. When next sickness knocks on your door, don’t bow to it; when financial lack knocks on your door, don’t bow; when the wrong things are said against you, don’t bow; when the enemies of God try to sway your feet, don’t bow; when depression, sadness, fear, hopelessness knock on your door, don’t bow.
Haman was particularly infuriated by Mordecai’s refusal to bow. Even if the systems and people of this world are angry with you for refusing to bow to negativity, stand your ground and refuse to bow.