My God My Everything

The bible is full of stories of the miraculous works of God and I believe they are still happening today. It’s easy to agree that God protecting and providing for Noah and his family in the flood or the parting of the Red Sea or raising people from the dead were all miracles. But it’s also a miracle when God protects and provides for each and every one of our needs. When He removes obstacles in our lives or provides a way through them and when He brings a sinner back to life in Him. God is always orchestrating Divine Encounters which are people and events placed in our path…

When Abigail gave David the food and wine she also gave him something much more valuable; gentle words of assurance. She reminded him of the calling that God had given him and that the Lord was in control of everything. The Lord promised to do many good things for you, and He will keep his promises. He will make you leader over Israel.  So don’t do anything that would make you guilty of killing innocent people. Please don’t fall into that trap. (1 Samuel 25: 30-31) Abigail knew her words and actions were powerful and carefully thought through each and every one. She understood that the bigger picture of this story was much…

A peacemaker, like Abigail, is a person who helps others solve a conflict and reach a peaceful solution. She wanted David and his men to know she was grateful they had helped her husband and that she had become aware of the offence that they had received from him. She asked David to forgive Nabal’s arrogance and accept the gifts of food and wine that she had brought with her. Abigail not only reasoned with David, but she could empathize with him. She lived with her surly husband and was around his mean disposition every day. There must have been plenty of opportunities for her to be the peacemaker in her household.…

Imagine riding a donkey into a scenic mountain ravine. Cliffs on both sides keep you moving forward and guide you towards what lies ahead. As you look up an army of 400 angry men are headed your direction intent on killing your entire household. What would you do? Abigail was in this exact situation and when she saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground.  She fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, and let me speak to you; hear what your servant has to say.” David had just been cursing Nabal for his unkindness and…

Do you know the difference between a National Weather Service Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning? Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Be Prepared! Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Abigail had just been issued a severe thunderstorm warning from her servant. He had reported the details that revealed the pending danger and she took action. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five…

How approachable are you? It’s not a question that we often ask ourselves but it is one that will cause you to take a deeper look into your personality. Abigail was approachable; which by definition is friendly and easy to talk to. That characteristic was necessary to deal with the pending disaster that was headed her way. One of the servants told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them.  Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing.  Night and day…

There are many ways to view King David, but boring isn’t one of them. He was a complicated character described as being both a psalmist and a warrior. He showed tremendous faith at times but he had his character flaws as we all do. Throughout his life there were a number of critical moments where if he made a different decision, his journey could have ended up without a crown. One of those was his response to Nabal’s rejection and insult. David’s men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word.  David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did,…

In the Bible sheep shearing was a time of celebration and feasting with friends and family. The sheep owners would take their flock to cities where they would be sheared and the wool sold in the markets. It must have taken a great deal of time to shear the sheep with scissors or knife blades unlike the electric razors that are used today. Once they were sheared the owners would sell the wool and make an abundance of money. Imagine how much wool Nabal received from three thousand sheep! Prior to this season the sheep would wander the hills and valleys while shepherd watched over them. David and his men…