Insults.The world is full of insults, real and imagined. If I think it's an insult does that make it so? If I don't pick up the offense, does it go away?
I am Abigail, an expert in insults. I come to tell the tale of two men my husband Nabal and David. my--well, let's not get ahead of my story.
Insults--giving insults, proclaiming receipt of insults. That was my life. Not that I ever gave any insults or felt insulted. I was far too busy healing the wounds caused by my husband, putting out the fires that his fiery outbursts were always starting. TAKESABREATH And then,there was the most foolish insult of all--when my husband slapped the face of David.
Oh, he didn't actually slap David in the face. but he might as well have. My servants came to me with the unwelcome news. My husband had offended David, when he rebuffed David's men's request for provisions as a reward for guarding my husband's sheep..
Unfortunately, such an insult was not news--that was a daily occurrence. But when I heard that Nabal had offended David, the one where the women sang 'Saul has killed his thousands, but David his ten thousands.' This was not a simple slap in the face.
This was a challenge to war, the extinction of our family and servants.
I hurried to once again put out the fire.
I brought provisions and apologies, both in ample supply. And I must admit I did my share of insulting.I I told David, 'Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name-his name means Fool, and folly goes with him.' (I Samuel 25:25a NIV).
While I had thought Nabal was a fool many times, I never would have dreamed of or dared to say it in his hearing. But I believe you have a saying, truth is the defense to slander.
I had to disarm David, not of his weapons but of his anger. I had to get David to let go of the offense. I had to get him to let go of the insult.
For it wouldn't have just been the death of my husband's servants, who I regarded as family. It would have meant the death of David's destiny. He couldn't grab hold of God's dreams, if his hands were full of revenge.
And my strategy worked. My apologies and provisions soothed David's anger.
And David told me to go home in peace. Peace what a beautiful word. I didn't tell Nabal the news until the next morning. And the insult was too much for him. His heart failed him. And David rejoiced that he had let God handle the offense.
Insult is a killer. Offense is a killer. It could have killed everyone. It could have killed David's destiny But God equipped me to help.
And what happened to me? Well, a certain handsome former shepherd and future king took me as his bride.
What about you? Are you putting out flames with mercy or are you pouring on the gasoline of outrage.
Let God handle the offense. Let God put out the fire. Don't let offense be the death of your destiny.