Hello Beautiful,
I trust that you and yours are doing well. So good to be on here again, an opportunity I am forever grateful to God for.
The title of this post gives it away already. I am going to be sharing with you the lesson I learnt from the story of Abigail.
Before re-reading Abigail’s story earlier this year, I had thought I knew enough about her. However, being married to a wicked and ill-tempered man, Nabal, was not one of the things I had assumed I knew. So, imagine my expression when I read her story from 1 Samuel 25 recently with a group of friends, I was awed by her personality, and it left me with so much wisdom. It just felt like that part of the bible was suddenly re-written.
Quick Story Summary:
Abigail was married to Nabal, a wealthy but wicked and ill-tempered man who one day decided to speak rudely at David for no reason. David did not take that lightly, so he decided to fight Nabal and 'finish' his entire clan. Abigail got the gist of what was going on through a maidservant, and she immediately took heel to appeal to David. She pleaded to David with her words and offering, such a wise woman. David found her words soothing and let go. Shortly after, Nabal died. After his death, David sought Abigail’s hand in marriage, and they did get married and lived happily ever after. Interesting right?! You should read it.
What Are the Lessons?
Abigail understood the power of words
She understood the power of Proverbs 18:21 and Proverbs 15:1, she knew that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. With all that is going on in the world, it is very easy to get carried away and speak carelessly rather than the truth of the Word. Even in the seemingly bad marriage, her words to everyone around her exuded grace. The bible says in Isaiah 50:4 that we always have the right words to speak to those who are weary. Let us exercise that learned tongue of ours over ourself, our home, children, career, business, and household.
Abigail’s exuded wisdom (1 Samuel 25:33)
At a time that seemed so heated, we saw Abigail’s wisdom come to play uniquely. She mediated between Nabal and David seamlessly. Often at work, people say to me how I am very good at managing work relationships. Well, it is not me, it is the wisdom of God at work. When the wisdom of God is present, we just know what to do, what to say, etcetera.
Abigail was a woman of prayer (1 Samuel 25:31)
The kind of wisdom she had could have only been gotten in the place of prayers. The words she spoke to David were not accidental, she spoke of the future he had ahead and why he should not use the thirst for revenge to destroy his throne. Those words could only have been witnessed to her by the Holy Spirit. There was no record of her praying physically after the servant gave her the report of what her husband, Nabal, had done. That is because she had mounted up strength by praying ceaselessly, and when adversity came, the grace was present. Even in her mediation with David, her words were prayers.
Abigail was a giver (1 Samuel 25:18-22)
She went to David bearing gifts. I mean, how is it that she was able to think of meeting a need during 'the storm', such as we have in the world now. In today’s world, more kindness will go a long way. Love is a language everyone understands, asides the words she spoke, she gave. Is the love you proclaim backed with giving? Faith without action is dead, so is love without giving. No matter where you are, there is someone/something you can provide for. Meanwhile, giving does not always have to be downward, you can give upward too.
Have you read this story before? What were your takeaway lessons?
Loads of love,
Your Sis
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