Anatomy of a heart after God: Compassion
Faith/Trust in God
Community that builds up
Telling our stories of dependance
Honouring every person
1 Sam. 25:5-8 He sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal:“Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own!I am told that it is sheep-shearing time. While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them.Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true. So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration? Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David.”
1 Sam. 25:14-17 “David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them.These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us.In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep.You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!”
1 Sam. 25:23-31 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. “Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is.And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life. “Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling!When the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel,don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance. And when the Lord has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!”
1 Sam. 25:32-35 David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands.For I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal’s men would still be alive tomorrow morning.”Then David accepted her present and told her, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband.”
Intercession
Intercession pleads with God
David was on his way to regret!
James 1:20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Not “paying people back,” leaves space for God to judge
Not “paying people back,” keeps my heart safe
Let God judge for my sake
Let God answer for me
1 Peter 3:9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
I forgive for my sake
