Now that is a phrase that I am familiar with are you? Those times when our response and emotions are not in proportion to the situation we are going though.
Nabal, as we know, had the name ‘a fool’ and the way he deals with David was foolish particularly as David had the power and ability to do him much harm (1 Samuel 25: 2-11). He was also foolish at a much deeper level by offending God by not treating His anointed with at least common courtesy. Our sin is against people and God.
Now David’s men were restrained and self-controlled but not their leader.
Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. 1 Samuel 25:11-13
This was going to be a disproportionate response. He aimed to wipe Nabal’s name from the face of the earth. One insult was going to cause rivers of blood to flow. Bear in mind this is the same man who had refused the opportunity to kill Saul. Sometimes our over reaction is piled on the first person whose small remark tips your balance.
Ok, Nabal’s response was unexpected, but in these days of the unexpected we, like David, are going to find ourselves perhaps reacting to things we normally wouldn’t have. Everyone is vulnerable for different reasons at the moment, everyone is pressured in new ways. This is a day when more than ever we need to be aware of our own sinfulness. To be sharp to demonic influences. It’s time to pray “lead me not into temptation” to ask the Holy Spirit for self control.
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
These times will test marriages and friendships. My tongue will need to be tamed, how sharp I can be. Just stop for a moment and read James 3:1-12
James writes as someone who is aware of his own shortcomings. He says we all stumble and knows that the power of the tongue is disproportionate comparing it to a rudder on a ship and a bit in a horse’s mouth. He knows that the tongue is destructive, he says it can be like a fire. However, James’s main point is to put our tongues to good use.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:9
To bless Our Lord and Father is to choose to use our tongue in the way it was designed to be used. Also to choose not to curse. It is to thank or gratefully recognise God as the giver of blessing.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! Psalm 145:10
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples! Psalm 92:2-3
To bless probably means joyfully announcing all these and more good things about God. There is so much online at the moment about exercise and fitness at home, ways to help our minds and suggestions for overcoming our isolation. As Christians we have one thing that will put everything into a correct perspective and that is this…
Bless the Lord
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.” 1 Chronicles 29:10
The side of this story which I find most intriguing is the mention of Nabal’s wife, Abigail. As a matter of fact, I think she is the protagonist.
Abigail was intelligent and good-looking and her good judgement saved Nabal’s household from the wrath of David and his men, albeit Nabal himself would eventually kick the bucket after a heart attack that led to a coma (probably, one of the firsts in the bible – “heart attack -> coma”).
Abigail did not try to cajole/seduce/lure David in a bid to save her household. Rather, she acted and chose her words wisely. she spoke with sincerity and humility about the situation – Nabal, herself and the soon to be king David. It can also be inferred that she did not peddle jest and frivolity; yes, she spoke of what she had done to her husband when he had become sober following a kingly feast. Though it is not very explicit what her choice of words to Nabal were, they hit him so hard that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
Nabal’s words made David furious; Abigail’s words calmed a vengeful David and made him to repent of his vindictiveness; Abigail’s words gave Nabal a heart attack that led to a coma and his death.
Spoken words are indeed very powerful, especially if they come from a place of truth and/or authority. Even our perceptions/realities of that which is seen and clearly understood and that which is unseen and not easily deciphered are held up by God’s sovereign word (Hebrews 11:3).
It is said that the man often described as the most villainous man of the twentieth century was only able to build a unified armed forces that destroyed homes and families (leaving a trail of death – millions of civilians) through his persuasive words and/or speeches.
Oh that our words and speeches always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how we ought to answer each one, in these troubling times and after. (Colossians 4:6).
Thank you ever so much for sharing.
God bless you.
Amen!