December 7, 2015
1 Samuel 25-Part 5
Thank God for your good sense! 1 Samuel 25:33a
LET IT GLOW
How many times have we questioned our children's good sense in making a decision when their actions were contrary? Nabal didn't show it when he fused to reward David.
So far we have read in this biblical saga, that David watched over and protected Nabal's sheep and shepherds. He sent messengers revealing this activity and asked for compensation by means of food for his men. Nabal refused, which stirred up anger within David, resulting in his army going on a rampage of revenge. He was in no mood to listen to anyone that got in his way. Then it happened. (God can use the insignificant to accomplish his will.)
This beautiful woman stopped David in his tracks. Abigail brought him a peace offering of homemade bread, wine, roasted mutton and grain, raisins, and fig cakes in abundance. I don't know if it was her beauty or her food that caused him to listen to this mediator with interrupting. Which ever it was, it worked. Abigail persuaded David to not commit the murder of Nabal, his men, family, and her. Yes, if she had not taken a chance and gone to see David, she could have been killed along with her husband.
How did David react to this kindness?
In verses 32-34, NLT, we read his reply:
- Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! (He
- Thank God for your good sense!
- Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands.
- For I swear by the LORD, the Great God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal's men would still be alive tomorrow morning.
- Return home in peace. (After David accepted Abigal's present.)
- I have heard what you said.
- We will not kill your husband.
Whew! Mission accomplished. Everyone wins. As David's anger subsided, he realized the seriousness of the mistake he was about to make. He had a change of heart and showed once again that he was a man after God's own heart.
What do we do when we are blinded by our anger? Are we willing to listen to a wise person's advice or do we go our way, later sorry for the consequences? Are we willing to help keep another from making a big mistake they would later regret?
LET IT GROW
Can't you hear Abigail singing the Lord's praises on her donkey ride home? Wellll, her tune changed when she saw that her husband was holding a feast in his house. He was very drunk.
She had stood between her husband and death, but the fool was so drunk she couldn't even tell him about it. So she crawled in bed, pulled up the covers, and went to sleep. I'm sure she poured out her heart to God and got things squared away between herself and the Lord, realizing she might nevcr know what it was like to have a husband who appreciated her. (Swindoll)
We are going to leave faithful Abigail there, spending the night depending on God. Do we depend upon our faithful God for our needs? Do we praise Him no matter our circumstances?
LET IT GO
Seek the Lord's way and answer to my questions.
Be willing to be used by Him to be the answer to someone's prayer.
Use good sense.
Give, love, share, go.
No comments:
Post a Comment