In the book of Esther, we see that Haman was ultimately hung on the same gallows that he was planning to use for Mordecai. The sad thing is that his ten sons were also hung on those gallows because of his wickedness (Esther 9:14). Sin does not only impact the one person sinning - it also impacts others (including family).
When Daniel was in a position where his circumstances were in conflict with his faith, he "made up his mind that he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8 NET). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were having their faith challenged with death, they responded to the king, "If our God whom we are serving exists, he is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us, O king, from your power as well. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don't serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected." (Daniel 3:17-18 NET)
Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NET) "A good reputation is better that precious perfume." We all need to make sure that we always are doing what is right to make sure that our testimony/reputation is a positive one. One way to do this is to "Fear God and keep his commandments." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NET)
After the decree was signed that no one should pray to another god but the king, Daniel did not waver in his faithfulness to God. Daniel 6:10 (NET) "When Daniel realized that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times daily he was kneeling and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously."
During the time of Hosea, the Israelites had gotten away from the Lord. As a result, their lives were full of misery and problems. When they submitted to the Lord, they again received his blessings. Hosea 3:5 (NET) "Then they will submit to the LORD in fear and receive his blessings in the future."
Hosea 14:9 (NET) "For the ways of the LORD are right, the godly walk in them." 9:9 states, "He will remember their wrongdoing. He will repay them for their sins." There are blessings to following the Lord, and difficulties when we do not.
In Joshua 6, Rahab's family was saved because of her. In Joshua 7, Achan's family was killed because of him. Decisions we make impact the lives of others. Let's make sure that those decisions result in blessings!
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites tricked Joshua in order to save their own lives. After they told their story to Joshua, "The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the LORD's advice (verse 14 NET). We need to always seek God's guidance in all we do.
Joshua 23:14 (NET) "You know with all your heart and being that not even one of all the faithful promises the LORD your God made to you is left unfulfilled; every one was realized - not one promise is unfulfilled." Thank the Lord for his faithfulness to us!
Judges 2:13-15 (NET) " They abandoned the LORD and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. The LORD was furious with Israel and handed them over to robbers who plundered them. He turned them over to their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies' attacks. Whenever they went out to fight, the LORD did them harm, just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do. They suffered greatly."
Psalm 19:14 (KJV) "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer."
After Gideon had great success defeating the Midianites, he created an altar of false worship. Judges 8:27 (NET) states that "it became a snare to Gideon and his family." We must make sure that nothing gets in the way of worshiping the Lord!
After Samson finally gave in to Delilah and shared his secret of strength "She said, 'The Philistines are here Samson!' He woke up and thought, 'I will do as I did before and shake myself free.' But he did not realize that the LORD had left him." (Judges 16:20 NET) Let's never get to the place where the Lord would not be there to help us!
1 Samuel 18:14 (NET) "Now David achieved success in all he did, for the LORD was with him."
In 1 Samuel 26:23 (NET), David states, "The LORD rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty."
