When God interrupts, do you listen?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In yesterday's devotional, we saw that Abigail interceded for Nabal's foolishness. Let's see if her charming approach works with David in 1 Samuel 25:32-35:

And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! For as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.” — 1 Samuel 25:32-35

Have you ever felt the weight of a confrontation and felt tempted to take matters into your own hands? Heated moments cloud our judgment and make it hard to see what God wants to do because we are too focused on what we want to do.

In this text, David is hot. He is about to make a grave mistake. He is about to slaughter all the men of Nabal's house at the celebration of the year. But Abigail intervenes. And instead of ignoring her intervention, David interprets it as God's intervention. If you have been reading the story with me, there is an about-face in his attitude and actions. He goes from proclaiming acts of vulgarity to proclaiming a threefold blessing: A blessing to the Lord. A blessing for her wise discretion. And a blessing on her.

You need this type of intervention in your life sometimes, especially when you are hot. We all do. But when the intervention shows up, you must see it, receive it, and change.

Since many of you have been following me for a while through 1 Samuel, this again is one of those instances in which we see God's wisdom in choosing David. David was willing to see God's intervention and adjust his intention.

As you face the challenges of today, be open to God’s voice through the people he places in your path. When tempers flare and stress mounts, don’t hesitate to pray for God's intervention. Then, when God intervenes, be willing to accept the interventions that interrupt your intentions. Don't plow over people and miss a prophetic voice from God. If you ignore these prophetic whispers, you might miss God's redirect and do something you regret.

#Intervention, #DivineWisdom, #ListeningToGod

1. How can you better recognize and respond to God’s interventions in your life during challenging moments?
2. Who in your life embodies the wisdom of Abigail, guiding you toward God’s will?

Pray for divine interruptions in anger and stress.

Lord, help me to recognize Your voice through the people You place in my life, especially in moments of anger or frustration. Grant me the humility to accept divine interventions that guide my actions and intentions. Amen.

Interruptions (Comedy by Mark Lowry)

Have you ever said something foolish because you were thinking something foolish?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

Yesterday, we discovered that David traveled south and learned that Nabal, a wealthy man, was holding his annual sheep-shearing event and celebration. David was seeking a bit of generosity from his fellow countrymen because his men were hungry, and he had provided generous protection to Nabal's shepherds.

To make his request, David sent ten young warriors to ask Nabal for help. Here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:9-13:

When David's young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" So David's young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword!" And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. — 1 Samuel 25:9-13

Here are a few observations:

Nabal pretends not to know David, but he knows who David is. Everyone knows who David is. Even Nabal's shepherds know because David has been protecting them. But Nabal's resistance becomes apparent when he refers to David as "the son of Jesse." This was Saul's derogatory name for David, which tells us he is aligned with Saul. Like the party division we witness in our country, Nabal has a political sign in his front yard, and it doesn't say, "Make Israel Great Again." (Probably too soon.)

Second, to add insult to injury, Nabal compares David to a common slave and servant. He says, "There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters."

Third, Nabal displays his selfishness in his response: "Shall I take my bread, my water, my meat, for my shearers?" My, my, my, my.

Nabal's response is more selfish and sinister than simply saying no. He is treating his fellow countrymen who have treated him with respect and charity and returning it with rejection and contempt. David is insulted by this and arms 400 men to confront this foolish man. Compared to Saul, Nabal has no unique anointing and appointment by God. Thus, Nabal (whose name means "Fool") is living up to the definition of his name.

Nabal is a fool not because of the political sign he has in his yard but because he lacks relational tack, godly wisdom, and awareness that God has blessed him with wealth to be a blessing. Nabal is a selfish and self-centered fool whose mouth spouts foolishness, and it's going to get him killed.

Your mouth exposes your heart.

You might be able to fake it till you make it for a while. But if you feel cornered, threatened, or attacked, your mouth will expose what your heart holds and your brain believes. Sometimes, what is stirring around in your heart and mind is not right or righteous. So before you say something foolish today, address the foolishness within your heart and mind. Otherwise, when you are cornered, threatened, or attacked, you might express foolishness and start a war you will not win.

#GuardYourHeart, #SpeakWisely, #BiblicalWisdom

1. What foolish thoughts are lingering in your heart that could lead to harmful words?
2. How can you speak with greater wisdom today?

Address the foolishness in your heart and mind.

Lord, help me to guard my heart and mind so that my words reflect Your wisdom. Give me the strength to speak with grace and truth today. Amen.

I Need You/Change My Heart, O God.

Do you ever give without expectation?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

So Samuel dies, and after the event, David returns south and here is what happens in 1 Samuel 25:4-8:

David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’” — 1 Samuel 25:4-8

Here is the situation:

After returning through the wilderness of Paran, David rejoins his men. We assume they are still about 600 men strong. Right about this time, he learns that Nabal is shearing his sheep, which would have been a significant event given the size of his flock. Given that his men are hungry and need a reprieve, David sends some men to greet Nabal, hoping for reciprocity in preserving and protecting them rather than plundering them, which would have been expected given the size of their army. David's request is simple: he hopes they can join the upcoming feast, celebrating Nabal’s growing wealth. After all, David understands the life of a shepherd, having been one himself. He merely seeks a little goodwill in return for his already-established protection.

In the coming verses, we will see Nabal’s harsh and ungrateful response.

It’s disheartening when you do something good and it's met with a sour-hearted and selfish person.

But our frustration is not just an issue of the other person. It sometimes stems from our unspoken and unmet expectations. When we give with the expectancy of receiving something in return—e.g., a simple thank you—and that doesn’t happen, it stings.

You may not be able to change the heart of a sour-hearted and selfish person, but you can change your heart and expectations. Practice giving without expectation. Buy a friend a meal, give a compliment, offer a gift, and work out the silent force of your expectations. Train your heart to give without expectation, and learn the heart of Jesus, who gave everything to humankind that could offer nothing in return.

#GivingWithoutExpectation, #SelflessGenerosity, #HeartOfJesus

1. How can you practice giving without expectations in your daily life?
2. What unspoken expectations do you need to let go of to foster a more generous heart?

Give without expectation.

Lord, help me to give freely and generously without the weight of expectation, reflecting Your heart in my actions. Teach me to find joy in selfless giving, just as You did for us. Amen.

Generous Giver.

Is your life dominated by fools or driven by wisdom?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

Today, we begin a new chapter—1 Samuel 25. This one involves three characters: David, Nabal, and his wife, Abigail. You will see a warrior's anger, a fool's reckless pride, and a woman's humble wisdom. It will be easy to discern who is who in the story. Let’s read verses 1-3:

Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. — 1 Samuel 25:1-3

Samuel’s death marks the end of an era, signaling a shift in Israel’s leadership. This transition invites us to focus more tightly on David's leadership, which is still shaped by a lot of conflict on his way to becoming king. And in this chapter, we will see how David has to navigate a fool on his way to greater wisdom.

As we dive deeper into this chapter, we will see a sharp contrast between Nabal and Abigail. Nabal, a wealthy man, embodies foolishness—his very name means "Fool." In stark contrast, Abigail, his wife is a woman of wisdom and discernment. This story of David's encounter of this couple reveals profound truths about the nature of our human relationships.

So let me ask: Who are the Nabals and Abigails in your life?

Think about your own experiences. Who embodies the "Nabal" in your life? Perhaps it's a colleague whose arrogance frustrates you, a family member whose pride blinds them, or even a friend who dismisses your input. This week, consider how you typically react to these individuals. Are you quick to anger, or can you step back and respond differently?

Now, recall the "Abigail" in your life. Their discernment is rooted in humility and grace. Is there someone who approaches conflict with wisdom, patience, and understanding? This week, consider their wisdom and aim to embody their approach in your interactions.

Here's your three-part challenge today:

1. Identify: Take a moment to identify the names of the "Nabals" and "Abigails" in your life. Acknowledgment who they are.
2. Reflect: For each "Nabal," ask yourself two questions: What drives their behavior? How can I respond differently?
3. Act: This week, practice Abigail's humility and wisdom. When faced with a foolish act or a difficult conversation, pause, pray for wisdom, and respond with grace. You might be surprised by how your approach changes the dynamics of the relationships in your life.

Remember, you can choose wisdom over folly. Make it a week where you don’t just avoid fools and acting like a fool but actively fool the world with wisdom instead!

#WisdomOverFolly, #AbigailAndNabal, #DailyDevo

1. How can I respond with wisdom when confronted by a “Nabal” in my life?
2. What qualities of “Abigail” can I embody in my daily interactions?

Act with wisdom not as a fool.

Lord, help me recognize my life's "Nabals" and "Abigails" and guide my responses with wisdom and grace. May I embody the humility of Abigail and reflect Your love in all my interactions. Amen.

Christ Our Wisdom.

Do you take control or trust God?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In today's reading, we will be concluding Chapter 24. This chapter begins with David seeking refuge in Engedi while Saul learns of his whereabouts and pursues him with 3000 soldiers. Upon reaching the location, Saul unknowingly entered a cave where David hid. Despite having the opportunity to take Saul's life, David chose to spare him and instead risked his own safety by leaving the cave. The text takes an unexpected turn when Saul responds to David in a surprising manner, and this interaction is further elaborated in today's text 1 Samuel 24:20-22.

And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. — 1 Samuel 24:20-22

Saul publicly acknowledges something everyone else has already acknowledged for years — David would be the next king. But Saul, in a sober moment, asks David to grant him two requests. First, he asked that David "not cut off my offspring" or that David not follow the ancient Near Eastern custom of killing all descendants of his dynastic predecessor. Second, he asked that David "not destroy my name out of my father's house," a request closely related to the first but underscoring the preservation of his name.

Without hesitation, David pledged his oath to Saul, reaffirming the solemn promise he had previously made with Jonathan. David's unwavering commitment would later manifest in his benevolent act of providing sanctuary, bestowing a position of honor, and granting a generous inheritance to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1–13; 19:29; 21:7).

David's decision to spare Saul's life in that cave, even when it seemed like the perfect opportunity to eliminate his enemy, speaks volumes about the kind of man and leader David aspired to be—one ruled by faith in God. He saw beyond his need to control the situation, understanding that God controlled all things, including his future.

We are called to live lives marked by faith that expresses the same qualities: mercy and grace, not vengeance.

In this story, we catch a small glimpse of the Gospel. David's faith in God resulted in the salvation of himself, his 600 men, Saul, and his 3000 men. Not one man's life was lost in this moment. Not only that, it resulted in a double oath that extended Saul's family and name to future generations. In the same way, Jesus's faith in God extends salvation to all future generations. Like Saul, we who were delusional sinners blatantly rebellious to God in every way and deserving of God's vengeance were redeemed by a sinless man who offered us saving grace and mercy through sacrifice so that we might know God's grace to all future generations.

Today, consider the capacity of faith in God to extend life rather than take it. Don't take matters into your own hands; trust in God's hand, and see the power of God's saving grace in every moment of your day. Extend grace because you've received the ultimate grace through Him.

#FaithInAction, #ExtendGrace, #DavidAndSaul

1. How can you practice extending grace in your relationships, even when it’s difficult?
2. In what situations do you struggle to trust God's plan over your own?

Have faith in God's grace.

Lord, help me to trust in Your plan and extend grace to others, just as David did with Saul. May my actions reflect Your mercy and love in every situation I face. Amen.

Stand In Faith.