Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 25-30, Psalms 142

Saul continued to chase David in an attempt to kill him for years. Time after time David was given the opportunity to retaliate and end Saul’s life but he refused. David saw value in Saul’s life by looking at him through the eyes of God instead of through his own victim-eyes.

David also had the opportunity to carry out vengeance against another wicked man – Nabal from Maon. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. She wisely went to David with generous gifts of food for him and his men. She recognized that God was with David and asked for David to trust God instead of retaliating against her husband.

“…The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!…” – 1 Samuel 25:28b-29

David praised God and thanked Him for Abigail’s good sense. He sent Abigail home in peace and promised not to kill Nabal. The next morning, Nabal had a stroke, and 10 days later the Lord struck him and he died. David recognized that the Lord was again taking care of him; that he could trust God to fight his battles for him. David found strength in the Lord, His God.

SOMETIMES THE LORD SENDS US INTO BATTLE WITH OUR ENEMIES, AND SOMETIMES HE CALLS US TO DO NOTHING AND LET HIM FIGHT THE BATTLE WITHOUT US.

David married the beautiful and sensible Abigail. He also married Ahinoam from Jezreel, making both of them his wives. David moved on from that area with his men and continued to hide from King Saul. Because of Saul’s jealousy, David was forced to live among the Philistines – who also rejected him. He tried to join their army, but they sent David and his men back home because they were foreigners and the rulers did not trust them.

When David and his men returned to their home, it had been destroyed and their families captured. His men wept and became bitter, but David “found strength in the Lord his God” (30:6). God was faithful to give David and his men victory over those who had raided their homes, and they were reunited with their family members, receiving back all of their possessions and more (30:19).

So what can I find in my morning coffee today? What truths can be found in this portion of David’s story? First of all, God calls us to value life as He values life. There may be times when we suffer due to the choices of others. There may be times when we would be justified in our retaliation or anger, but it will not bring peace. God is God and if we truly trust Him, we will leave justice in His hands and look to Him for our reward and for our rescue.

MY SOUL WILL NOT FIND REST IN HATRED OR SELF-PITY; IT WILL FIND REST IN GOD ALONE.

Let’s make these words of David our prayer to God today:

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn…
I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.” – Psalm 142:3a,5

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!

I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light. – Psalm 56:8-13