DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- INTERVENTION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – INTERVENTION

"Then David said to Abigail:  'Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!  And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand."  (I Samuel 25:32-33)

To understand the meaning of these words, we must know the context of the situation.  David and his men came to the region of Maon, where a very rich man dwelled whose name was Nabal – which means "worthless."  David's army had not molested Nabal.  In fact, they had protected his shepherds and their sheep from harm.  

So David sent messengers to Nabal, asking for food.  Nabal refused.  This provoked David's pride, and made him so angry that he was determined to kill Nabal.  But Nabal had a wise wife, Abigail,  who understood how David had blessed Nabal, so she went to David to intercede for her husband.  This intervention kept David from making the huge mistake of taking revenge and shedding the blood of Nabal. 

How often God sends people into our lives to keep us from doing bad or stupid things.  It may be a spouse, a friend, a pastor, a preacher on radio or television, or even a chance meeting with a stranger.  God speaks to us through them, and if we will listen, we can spare ourselves and other other people a lot of grief.  David listened and changed his plan.  It took a lot of humility to admit that he was wrong, especially since the messenger God used was a woman, who, in that culture, was usually disparaged. 

It takes a humble and sensitive spirit to receive advice, especially when we are filled with rage and want revenge.  David is a good example of a godly response to instruction.  Godly counsel can save us from destructive choices if we will listen.

Love, Dad