Kindness Remembered

In the book of Esther, we meet a man whose act of kindness  was remembered at the right time. It happened during the reign of King Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia. Mordecai, the uncle of Queen Esther, uncovered a plot to assassinate the king. Mordecai told Esther and she told the king, and she gave the credit to Mordecai. As time went by, the king promoted  Haman, one of his officers. The king’s servants bowed before him but when he saw Mordecai, Mordecai refused to bow, and this angered Haman.

Haman devised a plan to destroy Mordecai, but to accomplish this task, he had to kill all the Jews in the empire. So, he made a proposal to the king; he said, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed. ( Esther 3:8-9 NKJV) He was willing to kill all the Jews in the kingdom so he could kill Mordecai.

At that time, the king did not know that the queen was also a Jew. As they began to fast and pray, one night the king had a problem sleeping and asked his servant to read the historical documents. He heard about Mordecai’s kindness that saved his life. He decided that it was time to honor Mordecai and Haman was tasked with the responsibility. That was the first stage of failure for Haman.

Haman made his evil plans but as Mordecai’s kindness became known, it began a cycle of events that led to his downfall. When the king became aware of his actions, he gave the Jews the opportunity to defend themselves and Haman perished on the gallows he built for Mordecai. Even if the recipients are not grateful, an act of kindness is not wasted. Solomon said, “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1 NASB) You see, your act of kindness will find it’s way back to you.

Thought for Today: Friend, continue to show kindness.

Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.