In the book of Esther (KJV) there is a man, Haman, who is all about himself, power, and how high in the King's court he can get. In Chapter 3 of the book of Esther, King Ahasuerus promotes Haman, and orders all of the servants in his court to bow, and reverence him. All of the servants comply with the exception of Mordecai, who refuses to do so because he is Jewish, and it would be against Jewish law. Haman becomes so angry at Mordecai that he goes to the King and convinces him that he should sign a decree to have all the Jews among them destroyed for not obeying his law. The King does so unaware that his wife, Queen Esther, is also Jewish. Haman wasn't focused on the King and his best interest; for Haman this particular law was personal. He was furious that Mordecai refused to obey by bowing and paying him reverence. He was furious to the degree that he had a gallows built on which to hang Mordecai. Queen Esther learns of the decree, and goes before the King requesting that he reverse it. The King's eyes are opened to Haman's true nature, and in the end he is ordered hanged on the very gallows that he had built for Mordecai.
Haman was evil-hearted, and all about himself. Mordecai, however, was quite the opposite. He takes Esther to raise after her parents die. He saves the King's life by telling of a plot he over heard to have him killed. He walks by the house Esther is staying in, prior to marrying the King, daily in order to check on her well-being. When he approached Esther about the decree to destroy all Jewish people, he could have been concerned only for himself and Esther. The two of them could have plotted an escape, but both cared for the welfare of their people as a whole, and therefore, opted to stay, and make an attempt to have the decree reversed.
Psalm 9:16 (KJV) Says "The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands." Psalm 7:16 (KJV) Says " His mischief shall return upon his own head; and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." Haman's fate is an excellent example of these two scriptures coming to fruition; as in the end he is hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai.
Plotting and planning evil against someone we are angry at for wronging us in some way never works out, and it is not something we as Christians should even consider doing. Romans 12:19 (KJV) Says "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, saith the Lord." Haman never considered that even though he had the King fooled into thinking he was looking out for his best interest, God knew his heart, and God was watching him. Joesph's brothers were so jealous of him, and angry with him that they sold him into slavery. Joseph didn't seek revenge or vengeance. He never stopped loving his brothers, who later found themselves bowing before him. In the end they were totally dependant on Joseph for food in order to prevent them and their families from dying of starvation during, a massive famine.
Friends don't waste your energy laying snares, plotting and planning on how to pay someone back for something they have done to you. Don't repay a wrong with a wrong or an evil with an evil. When we opt to do that we interrupt our own peace, joy, and contentment. We are then behaving no differently than those who have offended us. Instead, pray for those who offend you, and leave any consequences for them doing so up to God. Failing to trust him to handle things, and instead choosing to handle them yourself will result in you eventually being caught in your own snare. Remember, when someone comes against you with evil; they are not only coming against you, but God who lives within you.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message, and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
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