UnthinkableParaugs

DAY 5: Unthinkable Wisdom

Do you believe that opposites attract? I’m sure there is some truth to it because several of my friends are happily married to men whose personalities are the opposite of theirs. However, I have prayed with enough hurting couples to know that being married to someone who is very different can be challenging, as was the case with Abigail, a beautiful woman who was married to a fool. Well, his name was Nabal, which means fool. But when Abigail was confronted with a life-or-death situation, she responded with a rare weapon: wisdom. 

In 1 Samuel 25 David was hiding in the wilderness from King Saul, and he sent word to Nabal asking for food for his troops. David thought that since he had protected Nabal’s men while they were working in the fields, Nabal would have said yes. He said no and spewed insults about the future king of Israel. David was furious and vowed to kill Nabal and all of his men. 

It’s sad to see how frequently people have to face the consequences of their foolish actions, and not just in marriages. The lack of wisdom can readily be seen on the job, in social settings, and even in the church. But we are accountable to God for how we act or react. The Bible cautions women not to tear down our homes with foolishness (Prov. 14:1) and tells men not to make unwise decisions (Prov. 3:21). When Abigail heard what her husband had done, she responded with unthinkable wisdom. She packed enough food to feed an army, and then she went out to meet David. When she came face-to-face with him, she got off her donkey, threw herself at his feet, and gave a heartfelt explanation of what had happened, and then she asked for his forgiveness. 

Because of Abigail’s actions David did not kill Nabal or any of his men. This story is proof that unthinkable wisdom can not only turn a bad situation around, it can also position us to be used by God in unimaginable ways. What foolish things are you encountering that you need God to grant you wisdom on how to react and respond. Ask Him, He will give it to you.