Day1
1Samuel 25
Week 41
“And she said to her servants, “Go on before me. See, I will be coming after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. And as she was riding on the donkey and going down into the cover of the mountain, David and his men were coming down to meet her and she met them. Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him. And he has returned me evil for good. So may God do unto the enemies of David and more also, if by morning I leave even one male of all who belong to him.” When Abigail saw David, she hurriedly got down from the donkey and fell before David upon her face. And she bowed herself to the ground.”
1 Samuel 25:19-23 MEV
Cross references
Genesis 32:20,32:16;
Proverbs 17:13;
1 Samuel 3:17, 20:13;
1 Samuel 20:41;
Joshua 15:18
A Soft Answer
How many times have you given a soft answer when you felt threatened?
If you’re at all like me, almost never.
David had reason to be angry. He was filled with vengeance. Nabal had clearly disrespected him. David had shown great restraint when dealing with King Saul, but this man? It seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak.
Abigail, on the other hand; was filled with humility and wisdom.
I get the feeling that this was not the first time she had to intercede for her husband’s foolish decisions. She didn’t hesitate. She knew exactly what to do.
It isn’t natural for us to respond in humility. Giving a soft answer when faced with anger or fear has to be learned through practice.
Our culture is full of pride and arrogance. Every man for himself. A “You do you” generation. Say it loud and proud. There is no room for humility and submission.
We are called to stand out. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people. (1 Peter 2:9)
Loud and proud is not how Jesus stood out and in our culture, loud and proud is the norm.
What stands out is a soft answer.
A humble response in love is peculiar.
We are not called to be right. We are called to love.
God does not need us to be his defense attorney.
Jesus is the mediator. ( the defense attorney)
We are called to love people and point them to Him, by laying down our need to be right and trusting God to do the rest.
Action Step
Are you angry at someone?
Have you been argumentative lately?
Is there someone who gets under your skin?
Let them be right and humble yourself.
Trust God to do the rest.
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