Thought
David planned to wipe out Nabal’s whole household. But Abigail’s wisdom and bravery saved her life and the lives of all their servants. Sometimes, having courage means knowing when to speak, how to speak, and what to speak.
Word
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Question
What reason did Nabal have for being reluctant to share his possessions with David and his men?
Was Nabal just being plain ol’ “surly and mean”? Look in the story and see if you can find out! And what reason did Abigail give when she advised David to pay no attention to “that wicked man Nabal”?
Challenge
It can be very hard to apologize for bad behavior or to admit that you were wrong. Think about any harsh words you’ve said or poor choices you’ve made in your relationships in the last week or so. Go to the people you’ve hurt or disappointed and ask them to forgive you. If you can’t think of anyone you’ve hurt, ask God to forgive you for any sins you may not be remembering.
Prayer
Lord, sometimes the bravest thing to do is make peace with words. Give me the courage to approach others when it’s time to communicate Your loving ways. Amen.