(Read 1 Samuel 25:35-44)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Yesterday we took a look at how Abigail intervened for her husband, with David, and she was able to convince David to spare his life. And I told you that when Abigail arrived home, Nabal was throwing a big party. He was celebrating like a king, completely drunk, and oblivious to what had just happened. He had no idea how close to death he was and how his wife saved his life. The next morning, when Nabal was sober, Abigail told him what had happened. As Nabal thought about what happened and he internalized the gravity of the situation, his heart failed him, he had a stroke, and the Bible says “he became like a stone.” Nabal remained paralyzed on his bed for about 10 days before he finally died.
When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise the LORD, who has avenged the insult I received from Nabal and has kept me from doing it myself. Nabal has received the punishment for his sin.” It’s obvious that David did not have any love for Nabal, but his point about people receiving a harvest on negative seed is valid. I will talk more about this later.
Nabal’s death left Abigail in a bad situation. In Biblical times a woman without a husband was vulnerable. So, in a strange twist of fate, David sent messengers to Abigail to ask her to marry him. When the messengers arrived at Carmel, they told Abigail, “David has sent us to take you back to marry him.” That does not sound subtle at all, but remember, this was a different time and they had a different culture. Abigail saw it as a blessing. She bowed low to the ground and responded, “I, your servant, would be happy to marry David. I would even be willing to become a slave, washing the feet of his servants!” Quickly getting ready, Abigail took along five of her servant girls as attendants, mounted her donkey, and went with David’s messengers. And with that, Abigail became David’s wife. David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, making both of them his wives. In the meanwhile Saul, who had previously given his daughter Michal to David as his wife, decided to give Michal to a man from Gallim named Palti, the son of Laish, to be his wife. The Bible has it all. While I am enjoying this series on grace, the life of David is playing out like a Soap Opera. Between deaths, divorces and danger, this would make a hit show today, but lest I digress, let’s get to the more important things.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. It’s dangerous to come up against God’s people. All throughout scripture you find situations where people got in trouble, and wound up doing themselves harm, because they fought against those whom God was working through. When you try to stop a person who is being used of God you are actually coming up against God Himself. The Lord has said, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm” (1 Chron 16:22). In the New Testament we are urged to pray for those who come up against us, because they don’t realize the type of trouble they are getting themselves in.
2. Make every effort to live at peace with everyone. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28,28). Paul said, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves… Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” And then Paul, summing it all up, says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (see Rom 12:12-18). That’s the bottom-line. God expects us to do all that we can to live at peace with everyone.
3. When one door closes, another one opens. Abigail was surely distraught over her husband’s death, but she took the next opportunity when it presented itself. She did not wallow around in pity, worry, fear or self-deprecation. I am sure she loved Nabal, but he was dead and there was nothing she could do about it. David was alive, he was offering her a new opportunity, and she went for it. In the end it worked out well for her. When bad things happen and a door closes, it is okay to mourn the loss, but don’t wallow in the loss too long. If you do, you might miss the next opportunity.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for being my God, my Lord, my Heavenly Father, and my protection. I am Your anointed and I am pursuing my purpose. With this in mind I know that You give, and I give, angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I say of You, Lord, that You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, and I trust in You. A thousand might fall at my side, even 10,000 at my right hand, but it shall not happen to me. Only with my eyes shall I see the reward of the wicked. Those who come up against me are fighting against You. You see to it that their attacks fail, because You have provided me supernatural protection. But You also see it to that those who come up against me receive their reward; reaping a bad harvest on bad seed. So Father, I am not afraid of attacks or attackers, because my trust is in You. But I do seek to walk in Your supernatural love. I don’t want to see people destroyed, not even my enemies. I bless those who curse me and I intercede for those who come up against me. They have no idea what they are getting into when they put their mouths and/or their hands on Your anointed. So Father, I ask You to extend Your mercy and grace to my accusers and attackers. I ask You to send people their way, to minister Your love to them, so their hearts can be changed. And I declare by faith, that my heart will not get hard towards them. I remain in LOVE everyday of my life. And lastly Father, when one door closes, another one opens. I mourn my losses, but I don’t allow myself to wallow in pity, worry, fear, doubt or unbelief. As you present me with the next opportunity, I prepare my heart and mind to receive it. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
