Today I am pondering the story of Nabal and Abigail, or should I say Abigail and God.
Concerning the above, the name “Nabal” means fool. All of us have probably met “fools” in our lives – people who do not fear God and will not listen to and seem unable to comprehend common sense. Some of us have been in situations where we have had to submit to fools – whether a dysfunctional set of parents or a husband who is not submitted to the Lord, an abusive boss etc.
When a person finds herself or himself in a situation where she (or he) has to submit to a leader who very clearly is a fool, it can become very disheartening. It can seem like a sort of imprisonment because you see what is necessary and you have talents and abilities that could help bring about a good resolution, but instead, you have to submit to being led by a fool and at times, suffer the consequences of a situation you did not create nor wish upon yourself. It’s easy to fall into self pity and discouragement, feeling trapped and powerless. However, the story of Abigail shows us that there is a third way – rather than being a victim or being rebellious, we can submit to the Lord and He will take up our cause. In this regard, while we may not be able to change the situation we find ourselves in, we can change and affect the degree to which it effects our lives.
Looking at how Abigail conducted herself, she didn’t do a “woe is me” when she heard of David’s intent to destroy her husband’s household. Instead, she went to action. She made intercession. And the future King David spared her life and her household. In other words, HER RIGHTEOUS ACTIONS HAD MORE IMPACT THEN HER LEADER’S (husband’s) FOOLISH ACTIONS!
As referenced above, although Abigail’s righteousness could not change the heartbreak of being unequally yoked, it could effect a good outcome in the situations to which she applied herself and interceded. And in the end, her heartache was mended. You know the story – Nabal is removed from the scene. David hears of it and sends for Abigail to be his wife. THE KING REMEMBERED HER.
I read an online sermon today entitled “What to do if you’re married to a jerk.” The preacher used the story of Nabal and Abigail as the context for his sermon. One thing he noted that struck me was that “Abigail gave God time to work.” Although in Abigail’s situation, she had the immediate reward of singlehandedly turning away her then husband’s enemy, that was only the beginning; God was at work. Ultimately she reaped the reward of being wed to a man worthy of her virtue.
Even when Abigail was yet subject to Nabal yet God Himself was her husband. God was her leader. He made up the difference for the deficit of an incompetent husband. In deed, He was with her to give her wisdom, strength and favor with David and GOD’S INTERVENTION WAS STRONGER THAN THE ACTIONS OF THE FOOL TO WHICH SHE WAS SUBJECT. Her story shows us we should not allow the foolishness or godlessness of others to turn us back from still striving to be all that God has called us to be because God can still work in such situations and He is also a God who remembers and rewards faithfulness.
So for those who find themselves in a situation like Abigail, whether in marriage or the work place or otherwise, I encourage you to turn to the Lord and make intercession. Just as God does not want anyone to perish, but looks for those who will stand in the gap so He can answer their prayers to save those for whom they interceed, so too the Lord does NOT want you to suffer the consequences of a foolish husband, or an abusive boss etc. He wants you to turn to Him so that He can intervene and over ride the power and harm of these other ungodly forces. And more than that, He wants to heal your broken heart. Like the story of Abigail reminds us, sometimes we just need to give God time to work.
I say all that knowing that when we find ourselves in unfair or abusive situations we can find ourselves asking “God, how could You let this happen?” But the question we need to ask is, “God, how do You want to help me through this?” We need to hold on to the reality of truth – that God is for us and not against us, and that no matter how weary we get of dealing with the same crap again and again, we will see God’s glory and breakthrough again and again. As the word says, “when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard.” So to those dealing with Nabal’s I declare: God will recompense you for what you have endured at the hands of fools. He will not be mocked. He is jealous over His people. There will be a day when He will pay you back for what was stolen.
Sometimes, even if we see God’s intervention in response to our intercession in our present dealings we can still grow weary and disheartened that we continue to have to put up with the challenges of being subject to a fool. But if we know that there will come a day when we will be rewarded for our suffering, the weariness is eased some. And so I also declare to you: God is at work on your behalf and He hears your cries. There will be an appointed time when He will recompense you and heal your heart. You will see His glory.
So let us turn our eyes away from those who wound us and dishearten us, from those who have brought harm and affliction to us, and turn them upon the One who sees, who remembers and who rewards the godly and heals our wounds.
Though for awhile, the wheat and the tares will grow up together – and so you may need to endure a ‘fool’ for a season, in the end, the Lord will remove the tares, or remove you from them. He will plant you amidst the wheat where you will flourish like a tree planted by streams of water. Healing will come and you will weep no more for the former years. Rather, you will laugh.
When it comes to Nabal’s in the context of marriage, you might not be married to a full time “fool,” but maybe there are times when your husband does not seem to be walking in God’s ways or making your life easier. It can be confusing when your husband can be your best friend one minute and a fool that brings you harm the next. There is a very real experience of having the heart crushed. I have no answers to take away the pain of that. But I do come with hope to tell you that God understands, and as you bring the pain to Him He will give you the strength to carry on; He will even make something beautiful of your life in the midst of the heartache.
After all, God knows what it is like to be unequally yoked! In fact, I heard the Lord tell me that many years ago when I was having to bear up around someone who was reminding me more of Nabal than of King David. the Lord told me: “I know what it’s like. Remember, My Bride. She is not the mature partner My heart cries out to have…not yet. I know how it feels to be alone and without.” Although that did not change the situation in which I found myself, it did bring me deep comfort and peace and allowed me to put My trust in God and carry on. And eventually, I came to the same conclusion as Abigail: I will take action.
Even today, and hopefully always, I will interceed and entrust myself to God, knowing that whatever situation or person may impede my path with it’s foolishness, it will not stop the kingdom of God from going forth in me and bearing fruit, and in the end, I will reap a harvest. And so will you!
Therefore, “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Here’s the link to the sermon I referenced about Abigail. It’s called “What to do when You’re Married to a Jerk” by Chris Kelly.
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/what-to-do-when-youre-married-to-a-jerk-chris-kelly-sermon-on-marriage-obligations-52935.asp