Tag: David

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Wisdom Prayer

“Vengeance is Mine”

“Vengeance is Mine”

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who don’t take matters into their own hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David was bent on retaliating against Nabal because he rudely rejected David’s emissaries even though they brought a message of peace.

Abigail, hearing that her husband had behaved badly, went out to meet David and apologize. Her apology was accepted, and this prevented David from killing Nabal.

The Lord says the following in Deuteronomy 32:35 (ESV)

“’Vengeance is mine, and recompense,[a]
for the time when their foot shall slip;
for the day of their calamity is at hand,
and their doom comes swiftly.’”

1 Samuel 25:36-39 (ESV) explains what happened to Nabal and Abigail.

“And Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, ‘Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.’ Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.”

David acknowledged that God was responsible for avenging Nabal’s insult.

Will you to show restraint and allow the Lord to carry out his vengeance?

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Wisdom Prayer

Rude People!

Rude People!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who encounter rude people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David learns of a wealthy man with three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. His name was Nabal. His wife’s name was Abigail. In the early verses of 1 Samuel 25 we learn that David had protected some of Nabal’s shepherds.

In 1 Samuel 25:5-8 (ESV) we learn that David made a request of Nabal.

“So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, ‘Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’”

In 1 Samuel 25:9-12 we learn of Nabal’s response.

“When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. 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.”

David was mad, and he told his men to prepare for battle.

Yet, when Abigail heard of her husband’s disrespect, she quickly packed food, including 200 loves, raisins, and wine, and rode out to intercept David.

David accepts her gesture, and he does not retaliate against Nabal. David is thankful for Abigail’s intervention or he would have blood on his hands.

When you encounter rude people, how should you respond?

Fortunately, Abigail intervened or David might have killed Nabal.

Remember. When you are offended, ask God for a course of action, and trust him for the outcome.

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Wisdom Prayer

Honor the Legacy of Believers!

Honor the Legacy of Believers!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who honor the legacy of believers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The stories told in the book of 1 Samuel are epic in proportion.

1 Samuel chapter one tells us Hanna prayed for a child, and the Prophet Eli thought she was drunk.

When she conceived, and the baby was born, she wanted to honor God, so she took her son, Samuel, and dedicated him to the Lord’s service.

When the people of Israel demanded a King, God used Samuel to identify and install Israel’s first king, King Saul. There were even military victories God orchestrated.

After Saul’s fall from grace, Samuel looked for and found Jesse’s youngest son, David, and anointed him as the future king.

At the end of 1 Samuel 25:1 (ESV) we read what happened to Samuel.

“Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.”

Samuel left quite a legacy, and the people of Israel gathered together to honor him.

People important to us are all around. Do not take them for granted.

I encourage you to take time to honor the legacy they have left. Don’t wait! Thank them now.

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Wisdom Prayer

Show Restraint!

Show Restraint!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who show restraint. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We pick up the saga of King Saul and David.

King Saul had been hunting for and hoping to kill David. David hides in a cave with his men. While searching for David, Saul happened to go into the same cave where David and his men were hiding because 1 Samuel 24:4 (ESV) says, “Saul went in to relieve himself.”

David knew that Saul was God’s anointed King, and even though David had the chance to kill Saul, David instead cut off part of Saul’s robe instead.

As Saul was leaving the area, David revealed he had cut off part of the robe, and he told Saul how he could have killed him.

In 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (ESV) we learn Saul was moved by this incident.

“As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, ‘Is this your voice, my son David?’ And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.’ And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”

Would you have been tempted to kill Saul or would you show restraint?

What choice will you make the next time you have a chance to retaliate against someone?

If given the chance, follow David’s example, and opt for a peaceful resolution.

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Wisdom Prayer

We All Need Encouragement!

We All Need Encouragement!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who provide encouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have you ever felt trapped?

Just as you think things could not get worse, would you expect to be encouraged?

Saul hoped to be rid of David.

Saul thought he had trapped David in Keilah, but David made a decision to flee with his men before Saul could surround the town. In 1 Samuel 23:13(ESV) we learn David’s men “went wherever they could go.”

In 1 Samuel 23:15-18 (ESV) we learn even though David was on the run, a friend comes along side of him.

“David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, ‘Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.’ And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”

With the threat of death hanging over David, God sent Jonathan to provided encouragement.

Who can you come along side of and encourage? Think about it. Reach out and encourage someone today.

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Wisdom Prayer

Seek The Lord’s Guidance!

Seek The Lord’s Guidance!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who seek your guidance before taking action. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We learn in 1 Samuel 23:1-5 (ESV) David sought you wisdom prior to taking action.

“Now they told David, ‘Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.’ Therefore David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ And the Lord said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’ But David’s men said to him, ‘Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?’ Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.’ And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”

Rather than David taking matters into his own hands, notice how David continued to seek advice from the Lord. He also asked for clarification.

It could be said that David received his marching orders from the Lord.

Is the Lord involved in your decision making? Although your circumstances are different, do you ask the Lord to give you direction and ask for clarification if you are ever unsure?

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