23. Be a peacemaker for God

Last week we saw how Nabal immediately jumped to conclusions about David without having all the facts. He judged David, without even listening to his own shepherds testifying of David. He judged him and refused to give even a crumb to him. We learned that we should be different and rather gather all facts and allow God to be the Judge. He and He alone knows best. And to share with others from all the prosperity that we have.

Now Nabal's reaction made David very angry. He immediately called four hundred of his forces together and advanced towards Nabal and his household. He was ready to kill all the males in Nabal's household. One of the young men of Nabal's household ran to Nabal's wife, Abigail and told her what had happened. She immediately reacted and prepared two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep, one hundred clusters of raisins, two hundred cakes of figs and roasted grain and sent it to David. She also went after the supplies to personally meet with David. She apologized profusely for her husband's bad behavior. She had the correct facts about David and praised him as the future ruler of the land. David relented from going on and killing all the men in Nabal's household:

"For indeed, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you have hurried and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!" So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, "Go in peace to your house. See I have heeded your voice and respected your person." 1 Samuel 25:34, 35

David relented because one woman was brave enough to humble herself and to give freely of what she had. And what is wonderful to me yet again, is that David glorified God as the One keeping him from hurting them. He looked past Abigail and saw God working through her.

God wants to work through us too. Jesus is our Mediator; He is the One mediating on our behalf in the Throne room. And we are part of His body, therefore to mediate between men is part of our heritage. We are to shine God's light and bring peace to potentially explosive situations. God's Spirit will flow mightily through us and give us the wisdom on how to act in certain situations. We simply need to be willing to be used. You might literally save lives by your actions.

But having said that, there are moments where the tempers have flared too much, and in the heat of the moment it might not be the wisest thing to intervene. That is why I am saying that you must go where, how and when the Spirit leads you.

Abigail definitely moved with the Spirit. She did what she could to alleviate the situation and left the judgment of her husband to God. The very next day the Bible tells us:

"….Nabal's heart died within him, and he became like a stone. Then it happened, after about ten days that the Lord struck Nabal, and he died." 1 Samuel 25:37,38

God will intervene on our behalf. We must just do what He places on our hearts and then leave the rest to Him. He knows best and knows what timing will work.

Plus God looked after His daughter that acted so wisely. The moment David heard that Nabal had died, he sent for Abigail and made her his wife. And today He will look after us too, we needn't fear.

Father, please give us the wisdom to know when to intervene in a situation and when to leave it. Help us and lead us onto Your pathway for our lives. We want to be obedient in all things. And thank you very much that You are looking after us, and that You will be the Judge on our behalf. We rest in You. Amen

 

 

2 comments for “23. Be a peacemaker for God”

  1. Gravatar of HenriHenri
    Posted Monday, 27 April 2020 at 3:02:27 PM

    Thank you for inspiring us over the past 10 years. Also for using the OT so effectively to illustrate daily living principles.

  2. Gravatar of MariMari
    Posted Monday, 27 April 2020 at 5:27:46 PM

    Ilze, danki dat jy altyd gehoorsaam was aan die stem vd Here & di boodskap aangestuur het. Dit was & is altyd betekenisvol. Mag di Here jou seen & mag Hy deur jou Woord nog mense se harte aanraak!

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