Humility and Obedience…
Sometimes as we continue on life’s journey we wonder if what we do will matter in the larger scheme of things. We come across situations that are so insurmountable that it seems unlikely that our little part will make will make a difference. I am sure that Abigail felt that way when her husband Nabal refused David from receiving part of the feast after he and his men had served guard over Nabal’s flocks:
32 Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 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. 34 For indeed, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!” 35 So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person.” 1 Samuel 25:32-36 (NKJV)
The above response by David came after she brought a bountiful meal for David and his men, something that her husband Nabal had refused to do. With her presentation of the food she also urged David not to tarnish his future by shedding innocent blood because of the foolishness of one man. Her words were spoken in humility, her providing food was her obedience. Quite the opposite of her husband Nabal who had spoken arrogantly to David’s men.
However, we see that Abigail was not the only one who spoke in humility – David did not assert righteous indignation against Nabal, as he could have. Instead he humbled himself before God and before Abigail and received her gifts, both of bread and her advice.
There is a lesson for all of us here. When we walk in humility, not giving credence to our own sense of justice, but following the heart of God, we not only save ourself from acts of impulsive vengeance, but we position ourselves to be in receipt of the Lord’s bounty.
Maria