|
Visit One of
Our Churches
Altus
Elk City
Lone Wolf
Lutheran Ministries
Home Page
|
Read: 1 Samuel 25:2-3
Meditation: Nabal was surly and mean in his dealings with
people. He was wealthy of course, but that wealth had obviously made him
disrespectful to those who he dealt with or those who were less
fortunate. We know many people who share Nabal's manner. These people
often are hard to talk to, difficult to deal with, and often are even
scary to approach. As we see however, these people are not above God,
and are also called to be a part of God's plan. Nabal had an opportunity
to change, but his surly attitude toward life would not allow him to do
so.
Prayer Starter: Father, keep me from having the attitude of
Nabal. Help me to help those whom You send to me, and keep me from the
surly and mean demeanor of Nabal. Change my life Lord, make me a better
servant, and deny my rebellion to Your call. 
Read: 1 Samuel 25:10-11
Meditation: When people who we are not familiar with approach us
for help, our initial reaction is often to turn them away. We may judge them
prematurely and unfairly. Nabal judged David as a servant who had run away
from his master. He would not help him. This action caused a downward-spiral
in Nabal's life, one that would lead him to a lonely death. Rejecting God's
will eventually lead a person walking through life with no purpose. Nabal
fell into this, and his life was cut short.
Prayer Starter: Father, lead me on a path of righteousness. Open
my eyes to those who are in need around me. Keep me from rejecting them and
judging them on the basis of their outside appearance. Help me Lord, to show
grace and compassion, just as You did for me in sending Your Son, Jesus, to
die for me.
Read: 1 Samuel 25:12-13
Meditation: A natural reaction to those who persecute and judge us
is to show them who we really are. Often times we use poor judgment in our
reaction to situations. David's initial reaction was to put on his sword and
destroy the family of Nabal. As we will see as we continue reading this
account, this would have been a mistake on the part of David.
Prayer Starter: Lord, keep me from reacting in anger. Help me to
seek Your guidance when inflicted with persecution from outside forces. Help
me to be patient, leaving room for Your wrath.
Read: 1 Samuel 25:14-28
Meditation: Abigail sprung into action. She had heard of Nabal's
rejection of David, and feared the outcome. She had seen the good David and
his men had done for her people, and feared God's wrath on her town. She
immediately sent food and supplies to David and his servant. She asked for
forgiveness for her husband, and reasoned with David not to send any
calamity upon the people of Maon. Many times, people around us have an affect on how we handle a situation. They spare us of acting like a
"fool". If we react without thinking that's exactly how people
will perceive us; but if we wait patiently, God will send people to save us
from humiliation.
Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for blessing me with the
fellowship of those around me. Keep me from acting in anger, and help me to
wait on Your will for every situation.
Read: 1 Samuel 25:19-35
Meditation: Abigail had come to David and offered her an olive branch
of peace. She reasoned with David not to take Nabal's sin and make it his
own. She reminded him that he was blessed because he fought the Lord's
battles, not his own. It worked. David accepted her olive branch and sent
her away in peace. David was spared from making a fool out of himself. He
was spared from making a big mistake because of his anger. In the same way,
we too have to wait. We have to listen to reason. We have to stay away from
making someone else's sin our own. We do that too often, especially when we
act in haste. God has a plan and that plan often brings with it rejection
and persecution on this earth; but if we remain faithful, God will deliver
us. If we allow God to work, our conscience will be clear.
Prayer Starter: Lord, keep me away from foolish
retribution.
Read: 1 Samuel 25:32-44
Meditation:
The conclusion has approached. Nabal, in his rebellion and
ill-advised denial of David's request is now turned to stone and
awaiting death. Abigail, who responded to David with great respect is
sent away in peace and eventually returns to be David's wife. God's will
provides for everyone around us. When we look to God and not to the
things of this world, good things happen. Nabal, the beast, dies a
lonely death. Abigail, the beauty, receives peace and prosperity. It's
easy for many of us to be like Nabal, especially when we don't
understand a situation. But, as we see, it is better to look to God even
in times of confusion.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to bless those who seek help.
Help me to be the beauty at the end of Your story. Bless me, as You did
Abigail, with faithful service to You.
|
Prayer Intercession Page
Prayer Requests
Archives
Send Your Thoughts
and Feedback
Browse the Archives