Have you ever wanted to get back at someone, because they were treating you with contempt…even though you were treating them with kindness?
- Maybe it was a boss who continued to pass you over, despite your hard work.
- Perhaps it was a friend who stabbed you in the back, even though you had been loyal to them.
- Or maybe it was a spouse who continued to ignore you, despite your on-going efforts to serve them and build them up.
In 1 Samuel chapter 25, David wants vengeance. After showing Nabel kindness, (1 Sam. 25:5-11) Nabal completely disregarded David and treated him with contempt. David was instantly angry and wanted to get back at Nabal. (1 Sam. 25:13)
And once your heart is set on vengeance, it’s hard to derail it.
But David’s desire for vengeance was interrupted by Nabal’s wife…Abigail. (1 Sam. 25:3,33) First, she takes responsibility for Nabal’s sin, then she reminds David of his commitment to live rightly before the Lord and allow God to decide whether someone gets their “just rewards.” She averts David’s anger, allowing God to settle things in His own way.
How often I’ve been like David and wanted to “strap on my sword” when someone mistreated me. The feelings are quick and automatic.
But God has sent us an Abigail, in the person of Jesus. Jesus comes to us, having taken the sins of our Nabal on Himself. He reminds us we are to live Christ-like in the face of accusers and abusers. If we, like David, will allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt our vengeful attitude, then we will respond in a more Christ-like manner and trust God to administer the right justice. (Deuteronomy. 32:35) (Heb. 12:24) (1 Sam. 24:15)
So when you want to get back at someone, listen to Abigail. Listen to Jesus.