(Prov 26:27 GNB) People who set traps for others get caught themselves. People who start landslides get crushed.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Here Solomon teaches us about another recurring theme of the Bible, sowing and reaping. Without a doubt we will all reap whatever we sow. More specifically, Solomon highlights the fact that those who attempt to rise up against us will actually wind up reaping a negative harvest from the bad seeds they attempting to sow in our lives. Isaiah said, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper” (Isa 54:17). While we can find peace in knowing that the weapons formed against us will not prosper, it does not mean that they will not be formed. In other words, we do have an enemy and he will do whatever he can to come up against us. Satan and his demons work through people daily and I would venture to say that most of the people he uses are completely unaware that they are being influenced. But whether they know it or not, bad seeds always produce bad harvests and the attacks they bring against the righteous have a funny way of backfiring on them. The Message Bible paraphrase of this verse is awesomely simple, it reads: “Malice backfires; spite boomerangs.” Paul said it this way, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Gal 6:7)
A couple of examples of this ‘boomerang effect’ in scripture are the stories of Haman and Mordecai and Daniel and his accusers. Haman came up against Mordecai and wanted to see Mordecai hang. Without getting into the entire story, let me just simply tell you that the Bible says: “So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai” (see Esther 7:9-10 RSV). Likewise, Daniel had his fare share of “haters” and his accusers wanted to see him thrown in the lion’s den. Well, guess what? Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den, but the Lord saw to it that the lions did not eat Daniel and as soon as Daniel got out of the lion’s den, the Bible says: “Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den” (see Daniel 6:24). In both cases what they meant for evil, against a child of God, wound up backfiring on them and the vemon they spewed out from their mouths boomeraged right back at them.
The point I want to highlight this morning is the fact that the enemy’s poison can’t stop your purpose. And if that is true (and it is), then why not be the bigger person and pray for them? Jesus said, “When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person” (Luke 6:28). If the other person knew any better they would leave you alone, but since they don’t you should realize that they are deceived. Jesus interceded for his accusers and so should we. Because if we don’t, we already know what is going to happen to them – they are GOING TO reap what they are sowing.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. In this world we will always have opposition.
2. When your ways please God you are shielded; their poison can’t stop your purpose.
3. What your enemies mean for evil towards you often backfires/boomerangs towards them.
4. The Father expects you to be at peace (internally), even while you are being attacked (externally), and to allow your peace to give birth to prayer for your attackers.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. This Word reminds me that I am shielded and protected by You. The weapon may be formed against me, but it will not prosper! I walk in divine protection every day of my life. The enemy’s poison can’t stop my purpose and the negative seeds they sow will give birth to a negative harvest in their lives. The evil they spew towards me will boomerang back at them. I am at peace in knowing that I will not be negatively impacted by their attacks, and that peace helps me to earnestly and fervently pray for my attackers. I live by faith and faith works by love! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
