A Beautiful Woman

I have thoroughly enjoyed my study of Abigail. There were so many lessons to be learned from the way she lived her life. I’m sure that we can identify with some of the experiences she went through and be grateful for the things we will never have to experience.

I try to imagine what she must have felt, the emotions she had and the realities she faced. She had lived in luxury with a harsh husband who was difficult to deal with and drank heavily. After his death David asked her to marry him.

David didn’t live in luxury at the time, rather it was moving from place to place, living in caves and any other place that would serve as a hideout. A far cry from a home with servants and plenty of food and supplies.

From her experiences we know that she desired to live in peace and she found that peace in God. Her circumstances were anything but peaceful which anyone who has had a tough marriage, loss of a family member, abuse, alcoholism and addictions would understand.

Yet her faith in God and trust that His will was best lead her to accept David’s proposal and become his wife. Her life in marrying Israel’s next king would not be peaceful. History tells us that she became one of eight wives and that she was captured by the Amalekites and rescued by David.

But Abigail possessed more that intelligence and beauty, she feared the Lord and obeyed Him and He took care of her. She had the peace that surpasses understanding and that gave her the ability to endure and overcome any challenge that she faced. Abigail is often seen as a picture of God’s grace and how it changes lives.

Her life examples lead me to ask myself the questions, “Is there someone that I can show grace to? Are there situations in my life where I can be an ambassador of peace? Do I rest in God’s peace and trust Him for the outcome?

Just like with Abigail, God is working in our lives training and preparing us in our current circumstances to do His will. The things that we go through have purpose, Godly purpose. She lived up to her name which means cause of joy. She found her cause for joy in God and in that relationship He created a beautiful woman.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for giving us the story of Abigail. What an amazing life she lived and what an honor You gave her in having her story in Your word. Thank you for the lessons learned from her life and I pray that I will follow her example and find the encouragement You intended us to see and receive. I know that You are creating beauty in all of us, Godly beauty. Thank you for Your grace, Your love and Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Proverbs 31:30

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”