Well Received Wisdom

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 25:32-33, Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.

There is so much that can be said about David and Abigail’s interaction. David was on his way to behave as foolishly as Nabal. What he set out to do, if he had accomplished it, would have left a blemish on his name and reputation. God, knowing David’s heart, sent Abigail to intercede and bring him words of wisdom that would keep him from ruining his future service to the Lord; but only if David himself was wise enough to recognize where the advice was really coming from. David’s response to Abigail made it clear that David knew exactly who was responsible for keeping him from committing a sin that would become a stumbling block to his future service to the Lord. Had he continued on this path and completed his intentions, he would have created doubt in the minds of the people of Israel once he became king. Although David praised Abigail for her boldness in coming to him and interceding on behalf of Nabal, his first praised was well placed in that he praised God first. Sadly, too many of us, when we receive well-meaning and wise advice, allow our pride to refuse the acceptance of wise admonishments that are meant for our own good. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” God’s advice, given through Abigail, moved David from a fool’s path to a path of wisdom. How often have we rejected wise counsel because it hurt our pride? How often did we foolishly lash out at someone who came to us and tried to give us wise advice because they saw us walking a path that was leading us away from God? Emotions and pride are a dangerous combination that clouds our ability to make wise choices. However, God will often provide us with the wisdom (through the reading of His Word) that we need to make the right choices. He may even send an Abigail into our life to try and put on back on the right path. How do we respond to such a person? Do we recognize them as a Godsend as David did with Abigail? There are many choices and decisions we will make in this lifetime. Some will be on point, while others can potentially end in disaster. If we refuse to accept wise counsel, the fact of the matter is that we will most likely shipwreck in our walk with the Lord. There may be those occasions when the advice is coming from a friend, and as difficult as it might be to hear it, we must put our pride aside and listen. A true friend will speak truth and wisdom (with kindness and love), even if it hurts our feelings. Proverbs 27:6 reminds us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” The next time any of us are tempted to trust our own choices and decisions, especially when we are at the height of anger or any other emotions, and refuse to listen to the words spoken to us by someone God may have sent our way, remember what Proverbs 28:25-26. Those verses read, “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” How well do we receive the wise counsel of the Lord when He is trying to steer us away from our own foolishness, especially when it comes from one of His faithful messengers?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).