Getting Loose From Nabal
Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 25:14-19
Abigail acted quickly.
—1 Samuel 25:18
Sometimes happiness is a life-and-death decision.
Abigail’s servant calls Nabal a wicked man, and Abigail does not disagree. The Bible shows that Abigail had a wretchedly hard life under the rule and ownership of Nabal.
Know, first of all, that when you connect to Christ by faith, you are out from under Satan’s rule. That’s the eternal truth!
But perhaps you are ruled by an earthly Nabal in your life. If you are being mistreated by someone, ask God to help you find a way out—and then take it. If you are in a situation where your children are in a harmful environment, seek God’s wisdom (James 1:5) and take action to get yourself and them to safety. In a case like that, you need to make courageous choices and form alliances with godly people.
If you have a “friend” who bullies you or uses you, if you are dating a mean or unfaithful person, may I suggest you can do better? You need to claim the dignity of God and not allow yourself to be degraded.
I am not talking about routine struggles in relationships. I’m talking about abuse.
Rise up and be strong in Christ. Do not use violence; seek holiness. Refuse affairs and sexual sins as ways of coping. Do all things in a godly way, seeking help from God and from caring, godly people.
Lord, help me, for I am in distress. Guide me in this painful situation. Act on my behalf; guard and protect me. Have mercy, I pray. Amen.
About the author — Keith Mannes
Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.
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