Then David said to Abigail, “Praise to the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today! Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.” 1 Samuel 25:32-33 HCSB
I have been the victim of some very unfair and undeserved actions. My first reaction was to seek revenge. I wanted to inflict the same type of pain and suffering that had been done to me on the persons responsible for my pain and suffering. That is a normal human reaction. It has been difficult, but I have turned my anguish over to the Lord and will allow Him to deal with those involved in His timing and in His way.
David had planned to take revenge against Nabal for his unfair and undeserved actions. I am sure David must have thought, “I will teach him a good lesson for his bad behavior.” But getting revenge is not always as sweet as it seems. David realized that the Lord had sent Abigail to intervene and keep him from doing something that he would have regretted and that would have caused bloodshed and death.
Challenge: Deuteronomy 32:35 says, “Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” David realized that God is in control in every situation and he respected God’s sovereignty. If he had taken matters into his own hands, he would have violated God’s authority and incurred God’s wrath on himself. When you feel like seeking revenge, remember that God is in control and has placed you right where you are for His purposes. Therefore, wait on the Lord and allow Him to guide your next step and allow Him to deal with those who have hurt you.