SCRIPTURE:
“One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: ‘David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.’ Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she told her servants, ‘Go on ahead; I'll follow you.’ But she did not tell her husband Nabal.’”
1 Samuel 25:14-19
OBSERVATION:
Abigail was not only a wise woman who new the courtesy that should have been extended to David and his men; but she had foresight in looking ahead of the possible ramifications of not extending the appropriate courtesy and gratitude; thereby looking out for the welfare of her people. She also moved forward quietly and affectively; leading the plan of action of such a critical and important task. Abigail interceded and supported her husband Nabal in spite of his lack of courtesy, hospitality, and character. She did what was wise and appropriate thereby “having his back.”
APPLICATION:
I believe that in life, family, ministry, work and relationships; situations will be presented to us where in spite of someone else’s shortcomings, mistakes, lack of understanding or courtesies, and sometimes unpreventable occurrences; that we may be confronted with a defining moment like Abigail to act and do what is appropriate and wise on behalf of someone else. It may not bring us recognition or accolades. It may not even be wise to tell the person whom we are interceding for about the situation until later, or never at all. Yet, we will be posed with the opportunity to do good. We may need to put ourselves or our reputation in harms way, and handle the matter ourselves; knowing that what we do will make a critical difference. We may also need to work in silence if the situation is a sensitive one.
We often feel the inclination to prove a point, show how smart we are by bringing the matter to light (aka, grand standing), thereby bringing attention to what we have done, rather than serving someone or a situation, and meeting a need or bringing resolution. Will we be an Abigail, when an opportunity or situation avails itself, to do what is honorable with no expectation of anything in return except for the safety and welfare of others?
PRAYER:
Lord, when confronted with defining opportunities to help or have the back of others, may I not only do what is required; but may I be willing to do it in silence for the good and welfare of others, and not look for recognition or the fact that I had someone’s back. May I always have the heart of doing what Jesus would do.
