When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 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. And as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my lord sent. And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal. And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
“Please forgive your servant’s presumption. The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because you fight the Lord’s battles, and no wrongdoing will be found in you as long as you live. Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel, my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.”
Yesterday we read about Abigail’s quick decision making and the action she took. Today we find her face down in front of David. She takes responsibility and makes amends. But then she does something incredible. She reminds David who he is. It is no secret in Judah that Saul is trying to kill David, and we already established that David was well known for the many battles God had given David favor in, including a battle with Goliath and a sling. Abigail chooses her words carefully and reminds David of God’s promises to him. She uses images that point David back to the truth of God’s hand on David’s life and the victories that come from a life led by trusting and obeying God. She redirects his focus from his hurt pride to his identity in God – who he has been called to be…and who has called him.
When all my children were living at home and crisis would arise – feelings were hurt by the words of others or the actions of others made someone feel less than, I would often say to them: “Remember what the truth is.” It was my way of reminding them of who they really were. They weren’t what someone else said they were or weren’t and they didn’t need to be angry. The truth is that they belong to God. What mattered was what He said about them and who He was calling them to be. Very often, that simple phrase was enough to reframe their thoughts and get them thinking clearly again…or at least calm their emotions enough so that we could at least talk about how they were feeling.
The reality is…I say that phrase an awful lot to myself, too, because I need the reminder. I need something that brings me back to where my focus should be. I need something that shakes me out of my hurt pride, or anger, or fear, and brings me back to who God has created me to be. Maybe this week you need the reminder too…SO here it is from one who needs the reminder to another: “Remember what the truth is”. And just in case you need a little more help – here are a few truths you can rely on:
You are a new creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17
You are loved: Romans 8:38-39
You are strong: Psalm 18:32
You are family: Ephesians 1:5
You are His: Isaiah 43:1
You are not alone: Joshua 1:9
You have purpose: Esther 4:14
You are worth it: John 3:16
