Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 25
Scripture Focus: “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant… Please forgive the trespass of your servant. (1 Samuel 25.24, 28a)
Devotional Thought: Fleeing from the murderous Saul, David and his men found themselves in the vicinity of Nabal's estate. Instead of demanding what he wanted from Nabal, David asked a favor from him. Nabal, however, refused David's request. David became furious and threatened to wipe Nabal and his household from the face of the earth. Something happened to prevent that. That something was the intercession of Nabal’s wife, Abigail.
Abigail's plea to David is a picture of intercessory prayer:
· Identified with the sinner. Abigail knew that her future was all tied up with Nabal’s destiny. She did not try to distance herself from the sinner, but rather acknowledged that she too needed mercy. When we pray for lost souls, let us always remember that we too need the grace of God in our lives.
· Recognized her position. Abigail was in no position to make demands. She recognized that David simply hearing her out was perhaps more than she could hope for. While we are urged to come boldly, we must do so humbly – recognizing that it is not any merit of our own that gives us boldness, but only the merits of Jesus and his blood!
· Sought the salvation of the wicked. It could have been tempting for her to say to David, “I’ll tell you where he is and how to get to him, so that he finally gets what is coming to him.” Instead, she said, “Please forgive…” What is our attitude toward the lost? Do we want God to zap them? Or, are we praying for their salvation?
Think about someone you know who is lost. Intercede for them, as Abigail pled for Nabal.
Prayer: "Lord, lay some soul upon my heart and love that soul through me. And may I humbly do my part to win that soul for thee." Amen. (Leon Tucker)
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 83.1-8
1 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
5 For they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them;
they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
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