Daily Treasure

“But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him” ( 1 Samuel 25:15-17).*

As our study continues we see Abigail, more or less, at a crossroads in her life.  She must decide to do something to protect her family. She must be brave and take the leadership role. She must display courage because she was putting her life and that of her household at risk.  First of all, she didn’t tell Nabal of her plans. She risked losing everything including her life by taking matters into her own hands.  Secondly, she was going to try to appeal to David who was in the process of leading his mighty army who were armed with swords to do battle against Nabal.  Abigail’s mission was to plead for the lives of others.  Like Esther, she was prepared to die if necessary.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the marriages of missionaries—ever an enemy target.

I’ve filled out cards and licked stamps. I’ve called them up and reminded when I run into them at Wal-Mart. I’ve dropped postcards and fliers in the mailbox, time and time again. I’ve dropped hints and I’ve been very, very blunt.

The thing is, they always agree with me on the fact that they need to be in church. They seem to really want to really want to experience for themselves all I’ve told them about. But another Sunday, of me looking carefully over the congregation for their faces, has passed.

Do I send another note? Or another email? Do I post another “great service” message on their social network page? Do I keep mentioning, keep inviting, keep prodding them in the direction of our church?

Or, do I give up?

No, giving up is not an option for a mission this important. Throwing in the towel might be do-able if a soul and eternity were not at stake. Turning my back on the lost is not possible, not when I know the Way. Refusing to plant seeds when a harvest is promised, is just not good stewardship. Withholding the Cure from a sin-sick heart is unethical, to say the least.

So, I’ll invite them again. I’ll send another postcard. I’ll continue to go on and on about what God’s busy doing, and let them think about the wonderful things they’re missing out on.

And? And, I’ll continue to scan the crowd for them each and every service.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Daylight savings time ends today. Be creative and use the extra hour for God.

“And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: and blessed be thy advice…” ( 1 Samuel 25:32-33a).*

I want to be like Abigail.

No, not living a nomadic lifestyle.

No, not the wife of a fool.

No, not the owner of a large flock of sheep–our dogs, rabbits, chickens and cats are quite enough.

No, not a gal whose larder was filled to the brim with things she could present to an army of men.  Who in 2010 needs 100 raisin cakes in their pantry?

I want to live by the words she was wise enough to speak…

“…don’t let this be a blemish on your record”  (1 Samuel 25:31 NLT).

I don’t want a bad response of mine to be quoted back to me at a later date.

I don’t want to have my bitter words returned to me.

I don’t want to be embarrassed when the scenes of my life are played back and the words I’d used recorded–every one.

I want every piece of advice to be given because I’ve lived seeing them benefit my own life.  I want my every word to be God-ordained, love-filled and encouraging.  I want to represent my Savior well in all I do.  I want to use the time He’s given me to the best of abilities.  I do not want to disrespect Him, embarrass Him or fill His heart with regret for anything I’ve done, or not done.

I may never run for political office and have every word I’ve spoken dissected and aired out of context.  I may never gain a position of importance that requires all the skeletons in my closet to be ransacked and cataloged.  I may never be more than a blip on the radar screen of life, no attention required, no attention given.  But regardless?  Regardless, I do not want a blemish on my record when I stand before my Lord.

*Read the rest of 1 Samuel 25 to learn Abigail’s story.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that men in your congregation would take responsibility as the spiritual leaders in their homes. Pray that wives would allow and encourage them to assume this role.

“And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword.  And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and  there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.  But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them”
(1 Samuel 25:13-14).

When David found out how Nabal treated his men, he was very angry.  When you are angry, you tend to lose all reasoning.  David had a right to be upset.  He was developing today’s adage, “Don’t get mad, get even.” He readied 400 of his soldiers with the intent of slaughtering all males of Nabal’s household.

When Abigail got word of  Nabal’s behavior and what David was planning to do, she found herself caught in the middle.  She was torn about what she should do.  Nabal was her husband and, no doubt, wouldn’t listen to any of her wisdom.  She knew about David and knew, if this crisis wasn’t averted, he had the power to carry out his threats.  She had to do something.

The only ally she had in this situation was God.  Make note when all you feel you have going for you is God, He will always prove He is more than enough.

Ask God for wisdom when you are faced with times you feel caught in the middle.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Mississippi president Heather Moody and Women Active for Christ in this state as they hold their annual meeting today.

“And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings” (1 Samuel 25:10-12).

As we read today’s verses, we see how the obnoxious Nabal handles the request of David’s men.  He rejected the request for help and was terribly insulting. David was a powerful man who was anointed to be the next king.  How dare Nabal to question, “Who is David?”

Abigail and Nabal didn’t have the kind of relationship where they sat at the dinner table and discussed the day’s activities.  If so, she would have learned of Nabal’s horrible blunder.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Think of women you know in difficult marriages. Pray for them.

“And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel. Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David. And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased” (1 Samuel 25:5-9).

David had been on the run, hiding out from the evil King Saul. David and his men camped out on Nabal’s land.   Our writer states “their presence offered protection for Nabal’s workers who were in the process of sheep shearing.”  It was a win-win situation, or, you would have thought so. When David and his men exhausted their provisions, he sent out some of his men to ask for help from Nabal.  As we get further into this story, we will see how Abigail is involved in this situation.  At this point, she isn’t aware of what is happening.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would minister to women today at the Georgia FWB Senior Retreat.

“…but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb” (1 Samuel 25:3b).

If it’s true opposites attract, then it was certainly true with Abigail and her husband Nabal.  We must remember at the time of the Old Testament, women had little choice in whom they married.  They were what we today would call “trophy wives.”  They were nothing more than property.  Abigail was married to a very rich man.  However, Nabal was far from being the model husband.  He was evil and arrogant.  This couldn’t have been the man of Abigail’s dreams.  She chose to make the best of her situation.  She kept her vows and didn’t let his character rub off on her.

How many women today do you know that are trapped in a plight like Abigail’s? Breathe their names in prayer before God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for missionaries in Mexico as they minister to those living in darkness.