My message to both couples was the same: every day, regardless ofwhat political views you adhere to, you can find twenty different reportsonline about the other
side that will make your blood boil. - P111
Butwhat good does such investigation and emotional turmoil do for yoursoul? It is far easier to destroy than to build, and each of us needs todecide which role we will carry out. - P111
I pray that, instead of gettingcaught up in all the divisive debates of our day, we will follow Christ‘scommand to love one another as He loved us-especially those in thechurch with whom we disagree. - P111
Heavenly Father, thank you for taking the initiative in pursuing me and claim-ing me as Your precious child. - P111
Make me into someone who actively seeks tobring peace wherever I go, without passivity or hesitation. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P111
25 Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked manNabal. He is just like his name-his name means Fool,
and folly goes with him. And as for me, your servant, Idid not see the men my lord sent. - P112
28 Please forgive your servant‘s presumption. TheLORD your God will certainly make a lasting dynastyfor my lord, because you fight the LORD‘s battles, andno wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. - P112
30 When the LORD has fulfilled for my lord every goodthing he promised concerning him and has appointedhim ruler over Israel, 31 my lord will not have on hisconscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshedor of having avenged himself. And when the LORD yourGod has brought my lord success, remember your servant. - P113
35 Then David accepted from her hand what she hadbrought him and said, "Go home in peace. I have heardyour words and granted your request." - P113
Abigail bows before David and apologizes for her husband. She gives him thegift she prepared and asks for forgiveness. She says that the Lord will makea lasting dynasty for David because he fights the Lord‘s battles. - P113
She asksthat David remember her when God brings him success. David praises Godfor sending Abigail to him. He blesses her for keeping him from bloodshed. - P113
Abigail bows before David before pleading her case. She asks for forgiveness on
behalf of her husband and gives David the gifts shepared. - P114
Abigail does not grovel, however, as she appeals to both God‘spromises to David and David‘s conscience, warning him against thefolly of needless bloodshed and urging him instead to look to the Godwho has cared for him and will continue to do so. - P114
In her words, we seea perfect blend of humility and boldness, seasoned with wisdom. - P114
We,too, can speak in such a way to those around us because the gospelsimultaneously humbles us and lifts us up. - P114
And we can point othersto the gospel, reminding them of God‘s great promises while warningthem of the dangers of sin. - P114
David recognizes that God is speaking to him through Abigail‘s wisdom. - P114
When we realize that God is working through someone to try toget through to us, we must take heed even though we may not neces-sarily like the message. - P114
We are to respond with gratitude and a listeningear without defensiveness. - P114
After all, each of us is in need of regulargodly correction and warning from those who know us best. - P114
Davidadmits that he would have followed through on his desire for revengeif it wasn‘t for Abigail. He does not attempt to justify himself as hisappreciation for Abigail‘s concern for him inspires an honest response.
- P114
Let us be open to receiving counsel from our fellow brothers and sistersin Christ, even though their words may sting. - P114
"Having wisdom does not mean that you understand all of God‘s ways; it meansthat you respond to life God‘s way."-Ken Sande - P114
Dear God, You are the Lord of all wisdom. I pray that You will help me grow inwisdom in order that I may speak uplifting words to others. - P115
And use othersto speak such words to me, even when they are words of warning or rebuke. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P115
[NIV] 36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in thehouse holding a banquet like that of a king. He was inhigh spirits anddrunk. So she told him nothing atveryall until daybreak. - P116
37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wifetold him all these things, and his heart failed him and hebecame like a stone. - P116
38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and hedied.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said,
"Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my causeagainst Nabal for treating me with contempt. He haskept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Na-bal‘s wrongdoing down on his own head." Then Davidsent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. - P116
42 Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by herfive female servants, went with David‘s messengers andbecame his wife. - P117
When Abigail returns to Nabal, she finds him very drunk at a banquet in themorning, she tells him what has happened, and his heart fails him. About tendays later, the Lord strikes Nabal dead. - P117
When David hears that Nabal is dead,
he praises the Lord and sends word to Abigail asking her to marry him. Abigailgoes with David‘s messenger and becomes his wife. - P117
|