(Read 1 Samuel 25:1-13)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” The 25th chapter opens with the announcement of the Prophet Samuel’s death. Samuel was buried at his home Ramah after an elaborate funeral. They buried Samuel in Ramah. Afterwards David moved down to the wilderness of Maon. There was a wealthy man (Nabal) there who had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time. Nabal was married to Abigail, a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was vulgar and mean in all his dealings. When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep he sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal: “Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own! I am told that it is sheep-shearing time. While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them. Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true. So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David.” David had been kind to Nabal’s men and livestock and he was asking for help from a man who was clearly in a position to provide it.
When Nabal received the message he sneered, “Who is this fellow David? Who does he think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I’ve slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?” David’s young men returned and told him what Nabal had said. David was immediately furious. David instructed his men to get their swords as he strapped on his own. Then David took off with 400 of his men, leaving 200 behind to guard their equipment. David was on a seek-and-destroy mission, determined to kill every man in Nabal’s home. David went on to say, “May God strike me and kill me if even one man of his household is still alive tomorrow morning!”
What this boils down to is the fact that David got offended. David did not like Nabal’s response and he quickly allowed his heart to slip over into offense, to the point where he was prepared to kill Nabal and every man in his household; presumably over 100 men. This does not sound like a man after God’s own heart. It does not seem like the same man who extended grace to Saul in the previous chapter. But guess what? It is. It is the same man. David, who had clearly received grace and mercy from the Lord, was ready to operate outside of God’s will because he got offended.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. No human is perfect. The reason I am teaching you about Moses, David and Paul — the three main contributors to the Bible — is because each of them committed murder. God did not use them because they were perfect, God used them because He is perfect. It’s the same with you. God wants to use you for His glory, not because you are perfect (because you and I both know you are far from it), but because of His grace. God sees us, His children, as righteous; not because of anything we did or fail to do, but simply because of what Jesus did on Calvary’s cross. Jesus was perfect for us, because He knew we would never be. So put on His perfection and His righteousness, and put down your flaws and your sin.
2. Our holy God uses flawed people. Not only does God forgive us for our sin and imperfections, but He also chooses to use us for his glory. Isn’t that amazing? The God of the universe, who spoke to darkness and created light, who spoke to chaos and created order, wants to use you (yes you) for His glory. He knows about all your flaws and He wants to use you anyway. Not because you deserve it, but because of His grace!
3. Don’t get offended. Last week I told you that you must “Refuse to violate the commandment of LOVE.” David maintained his love walk with Saul, keeping his heart supple and pliable in God’s hands, but he surely violated that commandment with Nabal. When David heard what Nabal said his heart immediately got hard, he crossed over into offense, and his emotions took over. David was prepared to kill a man and his entire household because he got offended. You may have never pulled a sword or drawn a gun in offense, but I am sure you have allowed yourself to get offended to the point where you were operating outside of the will of God. The message is simple: don’t do it. Remain in love and don’t allow yourself to get offended. Regardless of what others do to you, you still have the power to control your spirit, soul and body. If you ever allow yourself to get offended, your emotions will take over, and you will step out of the will of God.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for looking past my faults, flaws and failures, and still loving me enough to use me for Your glory. You know I am far from perfect and I am eternally thankful for Your grace. You look down at me and You choose to use me, working through me, even though I have messed-up more times than I want to acknowledge. Father, I clearly do not deserve all You do for me and I know I will never be able to deserve it. You don’t bless me because I am earning it. You don’t shower me with Your favor because of what I do. You don’t call me righteous because I am perfect. You made me righteous by the Blood of Jesus, Your Son. You see me as usable in Your hands, not because of what I do or fail to do, but because of what Jesus did for me on Calvary’s cross and because of His continual intercession for me in heaven. You are in the business of making holy garments from flawed material and for that I will never cease to give You praise. And Father, You are love, therefore I choose to operate in love everyday of my life. I resist offense at all costs. I rule over my emotions and I don’t allow my emotions to rule me. I overcome evil with good, I walk in love, and by faith I access Your grace daily. Thank You Father for being so good to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
