The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 25:2-3,
"A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite."
Here we are introduced to a rich man that David approached for food for his men. David was God's anointed man to replace King Saul, but had not assumed the throne yet. Living in a wilderness, he helped keep "law and order" in place that Nabal benefited from. Nabal was a rich man and should have been able to provide for David and his men.
Unfortunately, as we read above, he was a surly and mean man. When approached for help, Nabal responded, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
Nabal knew who David was of course, but chose not to help him out of his wealth.
In viewing this from God's perspective, I'm thinking the Lord simply decided that if there was a man who was hoarding everything he had and was unwilling to help support the things the Lord was doing, what good was he?
Nabal's wife, Abigail, provided what David needed. But about ten days later, since Nabal proved himself as worthless to God's agenda, he simply took his life, "About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
"A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite."
Here we are introduced to a rich man that David approached for food for his men. David was God's anointed man to replace King Saul, but had not assumed the throne yet. Living in a wilderness, he helped keep "law and order" in place that Nabal benefited from. Nabal was a rich man and should have been able to provide for David and his men.
Unfortunately, as we read above, he was a surly and mean man. When approached for help, Nabal responded, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
Nabal knew who David was of course, but chose not to help him out of his wealth.
In viewing this from God's perspective, I'm thinking the Lord simply decided that if there was a man who was hoarding everything he had and was unwilling to help support the things the Lord was doing, what good was he?
Nabal's wife, Abigail, provided what David needed. But about ten days later, since Nabal proved himself as worthless to God's agenda, he simply took his life, "About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
I am reminded that the only thing that matters in this life is the Lord's agenda. This life is not about me, my needs, my desires, my wants. It is about what the Lord is doing in the world and, just as Nabal, I have a choice as to whether I choose to participate in what the Lord is doing... or simply to take up space.
This life is very, very temporary and we all die at some point. "Feathering my bed" is a fool's errand as I have a singular purpose for being here - and that is to participate in what the Lord is pursuing in this age.
By the way... in case there is any question about what exactly the Lord is doing in this age, it is to build his kingdom. My life has value as I participate in that effort. Otherwise, I'm just taking up space as Nabal was (but without all the wealth.)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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