We all will age eventually, not much seems to come with a guarantee. Although not much is guaranteed, we can expect kindness if we were kind.
When younger and in position of power, anticipate the day when you will not be as young or powerful. How you treated others while in power will be your expectation for how they might treat you. We cannot treat people wrong and assume they will never resent that treatment. To treat others in an unkind way opens a floodgate of cruelty upon yourself, when you are least able to endure it. The people will rise against you in time; it is fair play if you were a tyrant in stronger years.
Our hope of others being kind to us is directly tied to the kindness we shared in our days of dominance, power, or control. Only a heinous person will anticipate hate when authority is lost.
The emergent force sets the rules of power. If you were an unkind parent, chances are, your emerging offspring will set the rules of how your power will be divided. If you were a harsh, controlling husband or wife, expect your spouse to handle the reins of command differently, should they assume power. In government, a cruel tyrant can only expect those oppressed under their rule to pounce on them like a trampoline when opportunity arises.
It matters how the one holding the power wields their power. This is true in all areas of life. For, someday there will surely be a power shift. When that shift occurs, be in good graces with the expectation of kindness. Love and be kind to those people who, today, are not in the same position as you. A shift in positions may occur tomorrow, all that can be relied upon is the kindness and love that you once showed.
When God returns, HE will expect that you have been kind, as HE instructed.
Genesis 21:23
New International Version
23 “Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” ”
Genesis 21:23
King James Version
23 “Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.”
Genesis 21:23
Living Bible
23 “swear to me by God’s name that you won’t defraud me or my son or my grandson, but that you will be on friendly terms with my country, as I have been toward you.” ”
Joshua 2:12
New International Version
12 “ “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign”
Joshua 2:12
King James Version
12 “Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:”
Joshua 2:12-13
Living Bible
12-13 “Now I beg for this one thing: Swear to me by the sacred name of your God that when Jericho is conquered you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families. This is only fair after the way I have helped you.” ”