SCRIPTURE: Esther 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided. [Esther 7:10]
For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. [Matthew 7:2]
The bible repeatedly warns that there is a boomerang effect to our actions [see Proverbs 26:27].
We get what we give; if we live by the sword, we die by the sword.
Those who spread gossip will be slandered by gossip; those who make life miserable for others will end up being miserable themselves.
The flip side is also true; those that are generous will experience generosity, those that are loving will be loved.
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. [Matthew 7:12]
Jesus actually turns this into a principle for living, doing to others what we want them to do for us.
And He says that this is actually the essence of the law; the boomerang effect is built right into God’s will.
Blessing comes to those who bless; love comes to those who love; mercy comes to the merciful.
And judgment comes to those who judge; punishment comes to those who punish.
Jesus is urging us to act in a way that we would want others to act toward us.
I do believe that life works this way – ultimately you get what you give.
It may not seem this way right away; for a season Haman lived with the illusion that he would succeed, Mordecai would die (he had the date marked on his calendar), and the Jews would be exterminated.
So it is in for us today.
We may be giving and forgiving and loving and serving, and not see the immediate return.
We may for the moment be suffering for our actions.
But the recurring promise of God is that one day all accounts will be settled, and those that invested this life with doing good will inherit goodness while those that invested in evil will inherit evil.
He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honour and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honour and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. [Romans 2:6-10]
What will the boomerang effect bring back to me?
PRAYER:
Lord, I want to increase the boomerang effect of goodness in my life. Show me where I can be more generous, more helpful, more kind or loving or forgiving.