Note: Before I get into this today’s message, I want to share a message I preached this weekend in California. I believe this is a message the Body of Christ needs to hear, so please watch. Enjoy. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/sGJABsQADdY?si=HcwLiEtLUfZbapwA
Today, we continue our series entitled “Laser Focus,” emphasizing living with a Laser Focus on the Fixed Purpose God established for us before the world began.
Scriptures we have been looking at all year:
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
(James 1:2-4 TPT)
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
(Ecc 3:1 ERV)
There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time.
Focus for today:
Setting the Stage. (From 1 Samuel 25:35-44)
In our last message, 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 following day, when Nabal was sober, Abigail told him what had happened. As Nabal thought about what happened and 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 ten 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 evident that David did not have any love for Nabal, but his point about people receiving a harvest on negative seeds 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. Remember, I told you she was beautiful!
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 different cultures. 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 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. 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, as his wife. The Bible has it all. While I am enjoying this series on grace and purpose, the life of David is playing out like a Soap Opera (a Novela). Between deaths, divorces, and danger, this would make a hit show today on Netflix, 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 God is using, you are actually coming up against 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.
How this applies to you:
— Just as Nabal faced death for his opposition to David, we must be careful not to stand in the way of what God is doing through others.
— Fighting against God’s work is futile and potentially destructive.
— Even if unintentional, opposition to God’s work can have serious consequences.
— Develop spiritual discernment to recognize God’s hand at work in others’ lives.
— Choose to support rather than oppose what God is doing through others.
— Learn to disagree respectfully when necessary without becoming an adversary.
— Pray for wisdom to recognize and align with God’s purposes, even when they come through unexpected vessels.
2. The power of a humble response in times of transition.
Abigail’s response to David’s proposal demonstrates the power of humility. Despite her beauty, wisdom, and now elevated social status as a widow of means, she responded with tremendous humility, offering to even wash the servants’ feet. This attitude positioned her for even greater honor, eventually becoming the wife of Israel’s future king.
How this applies to you:
— Let humility be your default response, regardless of your position or abilities.
— Don’t get caught up in who you are or what you have. If you remain humble, you will always be open to what God wants to do in, with, and through your life next.
— Recognize that true greatness often comes through serving others.
— Embrace opportunities to serve, even when they seem beneath your status.
— Jesus said, “The greatest among you is a servant.”
— Remember that God exalts the humble in His perfect timing.
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 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.
How this applies to you:
— Life’s transitions, even painful ones, often open doors to new opportunities.
— Abigail’s story teaches us about gracefully navigating life’s unexpected turns.
— While honoring the past, we must remain open to God’s future opportunities.
— Trust God’s timing in both endings and new beginnings.
— Maintain a positive attitude even in challenging transitions.
— Be willing to step out in faith when God opens new doors.
— Remember that God often uses our losses as setups for greater blessings. As blessed as she was as the wife of Nabal, a rich man, she was even more blessed later as the wife of David, the King of Israel!
4. 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). 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 everything possible to live at peace with everyone.
How this applies to you:
— As believers, we are called to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers.
— Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies and blessing those who curse us isn’t just good advice – it’s a divine mandate.
— Like Abigail, we must sometimes be willing to step into tense situations to prevent unnecessary strife.
— Take initiative in resolving conflicts before they escalate.
— Respond to hostility with blessing, breaking the cycle of negativity.
— Practice forgiveness as a pathway to peace.
— Seek win-win solutions in difficult situations.
— Remember that peace-making often requires courage and sacrifice.
5. God will see to it that people get what is coming to them.
David’s response to Nabal’s death reveals a crucial principle about divine justice. Rather than taking vengeance himself, David waited on God’s retribution and vindication. The Lord dealt with Nabal in His own way and time while preserving David’s integrity and preparing an even better outcome than David could have orchestrated himself.
How this applies to you:
— Trust God’s justice system rather than seeking personal vengeance.
— Allow God to fight your battles in His way and His timing.
— Maintain your integrity even when wronged by others.
— Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.
— Remember that God’s vindication often exceeds our expectations.
— Focus on your own obedience rather than others’ punishment.
— As you focus on running your race at your pace, with your grace, God will take care of the rest… including others.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I refuse to oppose Your work through others.
I choose humility in every situation.
I embrace new doors when old ones close.
I walk as a peacemaker in all relationships.
I trust Your perfect justice system completely.
I maintain my integrity when wronged by others.
I welcome transitions as pathways to destiny.
When one door closes, I know You will open another.
I let You fight my battles, Father, and I choose to focus on the path You have before me.
I respond to hostility with blessing.
As I run my race at my pace, with Your grace, You will see to it that those who oppose me get what is coming to them.
You can grant them grace and mercy, or You can provide me retribution and vindication. Either way, vengeance and recompense belmont to You!
As I walk in Your wisdom, peace, and purpose, I boldly declare that GREATER IS COMING for me in every area of my life.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
