May you be
blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and
from avenging myself with my own hands (1 Samuel 25:33).
How many times did
David have the opportunity to exact vengeance on Saul, but never did? There was
the time he snuck up on Saul in the cave, and cut off the corner of his robe.
Then there was the time he crept into Saul’s camp while everyone was asleep,
and took Saul’s spear.
But even though most
of us wouldn’t have blamed him, David refused to lay a hand on the Lord’s
anointed.
But Nabal doesn’t
fit into that category. He is a foolish man, who owes at least part of his
success to David. While living in the vicinity, David’s men had protected
Nabal’s flocks from thieves. When David asked Nabal for food, the wise thing
would have been to comply – even if only as the cost of doing business.
When Nabal refused
him, David was ready to punish him with death until Abigail inserted herself
into – and defused – the situation. Thanks to Abigail, David relented from
avenging himself. The next morning, when she told Nabal how close he’d come to
disaster, he suffered what sounds like a stroke, which led to his death ten
days later.
Lesson? This whole
account brings to mind the words of Paul: Do not take revenge, my dear
friends, but leave room for God’s wrath (Romans 12:19).
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Think about a time you’ve
taken revenge and later been sorry you did. Pray through Romans 12:9-21.
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