Place Yourself Where God Can Use You - 4

1 Samuel 25:23-27

A successful play in football requires that everyone involved be where they are supposed to be and do what they are supposed to do. If the quarterback throws the ball but the receiver is not where he is supposed to be, the play fails. Even if the player had every good intention to be where he is supposed to be, unless he gets there things won’t work out.

As we continue with the story of Abigail, David and Nabal we see Abigail placing herself where she needs to be. What are all the steps that Abigail carries out? How do you think David will respond?.

Abigail’s ministry did not end with preparing the food David wanted. It also did not end when she found David as he was approaching her home. She had to put herself in his path and humble herself before the angry warrior, accepting the responsibility, and pleading with David.

Placing yourself at God’s disposal in ministry means more than simply having the best ideas and the best intentions. It requires that you put yourself completely into that ministry. When you are called into a ministry you must prepare for it, act on it, and carry through with it. This is all part of placing yourself in ministry.

It is not always easy discerning what God wants us to do in ministry. And when we feel we know what God wants, it is not always easy getting the ministry organized. These two steps are necessary for good ministry, but ministry can’t move forward unless we put ourselves in that place where God can use us.

There are times when we must be persistent in our work for the kingdom of God. We must take our ideas and our materials and then work with them. We must keep our feet firmly planted in the ministry, allowing ourselves to remain in that place where God can use us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Are you in place for ministry?

Place Yourself Where God Can Use You - 3

1 Samuel 25:18-22

This past summer at our community VBS I lost my temper with one of the volunteers. It was an embarrassing time for me. I had committed a terrible sin and had to seek forgiveness. To do that I had to find the person I offended and apologize. It was all resolved in the end, but the offended person did not want to speak with me at first, and I did not look forward to that necessary confrontation.

Today’s passage is a portion of a long story involving David, a man named Nabal and Nabal’s wife, Abigail. David and his men have been protecting the shepherds in a certain region and David sent messengers asking for some food, an expression of gratitude for what they have been doing. But Nabal rejects David, which angers him.

What did Abigail do when she learned of the offense? Where does Abigail find David? What were David and his men doing?

The intelligent wife of the foolish Nabal must correct the mistake her husband has made. Nabal has failed to show proper appreciation for the protection and security his servants and property have received. David is so angry he is planning to attack Nabal and his servants, killing every one of them.

Abigail sets out to avert catastrophe. She has prepared the food that David was looking for earlier, but that is not enough. She must go out and find David, literally placing herself in his way so that good may be done.

We can imagine that she was not looking forward to this task. She was putting herself at considerable risk, standing in the way of an angry warrior and his soldiers. But to accomplish what needed to be done she had to place herself in a position that would guarantee the deed was accomplished.

When we answer God’s call to ministry we may feel reluctant to do the work. The ministry may require some sacrifice on our part. Or it may seem too much. We may hesitate putting ourselves on the line to do the work of God’s kingdom.

But that is what we need to do. When we answer God’s call we must place ourselves into the thick of the situation, putting our own confidence and comfort on the line for God. We are often called not to simply provide for a ministry, but actually be part of it. We should step out in faith and place ourselves where we can be used for God’s good.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Where do you need to place yourself to do ministry?

Rejected 4

1 Samuel 25:18-20

While on our mission trip I lost my pocket-knife, a gift from a friend. I was very disappointed until, at the end of the day, I looked in the vehicle we had ridden in and found it laying on the floor. What a relief.

Nabal’s rejection of David has incurred the warrior’s wrath. David has called his soldiers to arms and is heading toward Nabal’s home to deal harshly with the man. What did Nabal’s wife, Abigail, do?

The story of Nabal, Abigail and David spans all of 1 Samuel 25. Nabal has missed an opportunity to be blessed, and instead stands in jeopardy of being executed. But Abigail recognizes that gratitude must be shown to David. She is also probably aware that showing David kindness will result in more blessings.

Abigail acts quickly and prepares the gifts of food that David wants, then goes out with them to meet this powerful man. Her actions save her husband’s life, although he is not aware of this until later.

When Nabal finally realizes what he has done, fear (and God) strike him dead. For her kindness, David sends word that he would like to take Abigail as his wife, and she agrees.

Crisis averted (mostly). The blessings once rejected are now received and all is well.

We may, through our own wrong decisions or through inattentiveness, bypass the chance to receive God’s blessings. There are times when we get caught up in our worries or doubts and fail to see what God is offering us.

But the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew and the story of Abigail show us that God’s blessings do not wither or grow stale. They may pass on to others, or they may be waiting for us to finally claim them. God is abounding in love and mercy, and His abundant blessings are waiting for us to turn to Him and receive them.

As Christians we should never abandon hope. We must work to forget our past mistakes and be attentive and dedicated to serving God, and being receptive to His table of blessings.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Where might you find God’s blessings?