Dominoes
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him. (II Samuel 8:9,10 ESV)
The kingdom work that King David did in his warfare had the effect of defeating God’s enemies.
But further work was also accomplished.
A nearby kingdom, whose prime enemy David had defeated, ended up an ally of David. David’s good work had a ripple effect. Not only was Zobah defeated, but Syria’s enemy, Hamath, joined with David and the Israelites.
The deeds we do have immediate effects. But they also have long term effects. And those effects have effects.
And particularly, the things we do while following God will cascade blessings on the future.
Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s Mighty Men, came from that land.
The Samaritans, while often in conflict with the Pharisees, originally came from that land. And from them came the Samaritan Woman at the Well, who heard the gospel from Jesus Himself.
Doing God’s kingdom work often has effects that we do not see ourselves.
Your act of kindness, your forgiving attitude, your help of the needy can do that.