by Arthelo Palma
1 Samuel 25
A higher percentage of product offerings we could find in
the supermarket belongs to consumer goods which include instant foods. Yes, some of us always hurry to work and it would make sense to prepare instant foods for us
not to punch in late as we hate deductions to our salary from our
tardiness.
Some are also preoccupied with all the worries in life that
we might forget the essential things.
And here is another more common to us. We are always in a
hurry in order to make both ends meet. We busy ourselves finding money for us
to live, and sustain not only our needs, but wants.
And here is the saddest part of all. We always forget the
One Who is responsible for giving us all the best things we might have acquired
for now.
Jesus said, “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what
is God’s” (Mark 12:17). How many of us have finally understood this living
principle of God? Not understanding this leads us to hurry to work without even
praying to God and giving Him thanks for another wonderful day He allows us to
experience once again. We always forget what we need to give to God. We always
forget to give Him our time, if not our material possessions.
Allow me to share a story in the Bible of a man who died
because of his greediness and hurling God insults amidst God’s provision for
the work of his hands. His name was Nabal.
Nabal was blessed by God and God’s protection was upon his
shepherds and sheep when David and his men where with them (verses 7-8).
Through David, God was asking a favor or a portion of
whatever Nabal could find for David and his men (verses 7-8). But Nabal was
surly and mean in his dealings (verse 3). He was greedy and throwing insults to
men David sent to him to ask for something.
Nabal said, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jessie?
Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I
take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and
give it to men coming from who knows where?” (verses 10-11).
Hearing these words, David burned with anger so he asked his
men to put on their swords and said, “May God deal with David, be it ever so
severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him”
(verses 13,22).
Hearing this plot, Abigail, Nabal’s intelligent and beautiful
wife (verse 3), prepared what she might have to offer to David and his men
concerning their requests without informing his husband (verses 18-19).
David saw the repentant heart of Nabal’s wife and released
blessings.
He said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel , who has
sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for
keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.
Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me
from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male
belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak” (verses 32-34).
Ten days later, as the heart of Nabal remained hard as
stone, the Lord struck him and he died (verse 37-38). Then Abigail became
David’s wife (verse 42).
Nabal was not directly throwing insults to David, but to
God, for David, the God’s anointed, was God’s representative.
Abigail’s discerning spirit and repentant heart saved her
household from disaster.
God’s message:
Our greediness and wickedness are forms of insults to God
for all the good things He has done into our lives. Offering back to God the
blessings He gave us is a must. Failure to do so would require immediate
repentance before it is too late and our greediness will take its toll on us.
God’s promise:
God’s promises us long life, good health and good health to
all what is in us.
God’s command:
A life fully blessed by God should learn to bring back what
belongs to the Lord.
God’s warning:
Not giving back to God what He deserves to have from us would
result to a shorter life, poor health or poor health to all what is in us (ex.
emotional instability, plenty of tormenting spirits such as pride, lust of the
flesh, greediness, discontentment, insecurity, extreme fear, hatred, wickedness, evil
intent and so on).
Applications:
You will know if you are giving back to God what He deserves
from you if right now; you are experiencing pure joy and contentment, amidst
some circumstances coming your way. If not, learn to give more time conversing
to God on what you need to do. Remember, it’s easy for us to hear these words,
but it takes courage to listen to them. I urge you brothers and sisters, pray
for that courage in the name of Jesus Christ! Move now before it is too late
that our wickedness will take its toll on us. Always give thanks to the Lord
and have quality time with Him. Read the Bible and meditate on it day and
night.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the
everlasting God, thank You for another wonderful day. Thank You for making our day,
by hearing Your words now. Bless these words Father, in the name of Jesus
Christ, that they might remain in us and will guide us as You promise us to
have long life, good health and good health to all what is in us. Thank You
very much for not making our hearts hard as stone so that we could fully obey
You and understand Your will in our lives. This we ask and pray in the name of
Christ Jesus. Amen!
photo credit: AlicePopkorn via photopin cc
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