Boomerang Effect

Verse of the day: Proverbs 26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

This verse serves both as a warning and a comfort; a warning to those who think that they are going to be successful in plotting evil against others without consequences befalling them, and a comfort to those who are facing people who are seeking to do them wrong. Sadly, there are Christians who, in their refusal to forgive a wrong done to them, expend way too much energy plotting how to get even with the person who wronged them, in complete disobedience to the Word of God (Eph 4:32; Rom 12:14-21). Quite often, the hatred behind the plotting is harbored and hidden in the person’s heart, and they plot quietly, taking little discreet actions toward another that are not openly seen by the general public. So, on the surface, the person puts on their religious façade, while secretly doing wickedly toward the person they are seeking revenge toward, and looking to do wrong. However, this never ends well. Why? Well, because God’s promise is that hatred covered by deceit will be revealed (v. 26). This happens, all too often, in relationships (even marriage relationships); yes, even Christian ones, and the end result is a public break-up for acts committed in secret. This ought not to be amongst God’s children. On the flip side, this serves as a comfort to us, when we are in the sights of those who desire to cause us harm (whether it be the unsaved or a brother/sister in Christ). No matter what people plot, even in secret, it does not escape the eyes of our all-knowing God (Prv 15:3). There are two biblical examples that illustrate this perfectly. The first is the death of King Ahab, who disguised himself going into battle. His plan was to have King Jehoshaphat disguise himself so that he is mistaken for King Ahab (and is possibly killed in his stead), but while in battle it is discovered that Jehoshaphat was not Ahab. In 1 Kings 22:34 a man drew a bow at “random”, and struck King Ahab between the joint of his armor with his arrow, ultimately leading to his death. Let us not also forget about Haman, who sought to have Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, hanged on the gallows he had built for that purpose. However, God protected Mordecai and the Jews who were at the point of being attacked and destroyed; and it was Haman, along with his family, that was hanged on the very gallows he had built (Esther 7). The Scriptures are very clear that those who plot and set traps for others will fall victim to their own devices; that which I refer to as the “boomerang effect” (Ps 7:15; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6: Ecc 10:8). Brother and sisters, if you harbor hatred in your hearts for a wrong someone has committed against you; the best course of action is forgiveness and allowing God to do what He does best, protect and avenge His own. If you are in the midst of dealing with a person or people who seek to do you wrong, remember that God says that if He be for us, who can be against us (Rom 8:31). We need not fear what man can do when we have the Lord on our side; Psalm 118:5-9 reads as follows:

I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
⁶ The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
⁷ The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
⁸ It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
⁹ It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.

In Jesus, we have the greatest victory over our greatest enemy. Today, He extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus in repentance, confessing their sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).