1 Samuel Chapter 24: Verses 5-7 (NIV-UK)
Afterwards, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.’ With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
1 Samuel Chapter 25: verses 32-33 (NIV-UK)
David said to Abigail, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
God uses different means to challenge us and also to keep us on the right road. In the first reading we see David being faced with an opportunity where he could have killed Saul, and probably most people would have said he had every right. But his conscience directed him to make the right choice and he honoured God in his choice of decision. Then he was confronted by a different situation where it seemed he was about to let his anger get the better of him. But God used a very wise woman called Abigail, and he listened to what she said.
Sometimes when we are confronted by similar situations, God uses different means to direct us. It may be that the decision that we make has to be done by us without recourse to anyone else. At other times, when we are wrestling with a choice, especially if we are in danger of letting our emotions get the better of us, God might use someone to give us a bit of wise counsel, and it may come from an unexpected source. I have had experience of just that situation and was blessed by the outcome. It reminds me to be grateful and obedient for the wise counsel God sends my way.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the example of Abigail’s wisdom and good judgement that kept David from taking action that he may later have regretted. Thank You for all those You have used to keep me from making an unwise decision , but also for sending the Holy Spirit to nudge and direct me. AMEN.