Gentle Rebuke

Abigail met David with respect, showing him honor and deference, and pleaded her case eloquently and successfully. While not excusing her husband’s insolence, she still pleaded for his life. She also revealed the fact that she was not only a discreet woman, but a godly woman, acquainted with the works and ways of God in David. She stated her firm faith in the fact that David was the anointed of the Lord.19Ibid.

Abigail presented by implication the course that David ought to pursue. He should fight the battles of the Lord. He was not to seek revenge for personal wrongs, even though persecuted as a traitor…. These words could have come only from the lips of one who had partaken of the wisdom from above. The piety of Abigail, like the fragrance of a flower, breathed out all unconsciously in face and word and action. The Spirit of the Son of God was abiding in her soul. Her speech, seasoned with grace, and full of kindness and peace, shed a heavenly influence. Better impulses came to David, and he trembled as he thought what might have been the consequences of his rash purpose….

A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light wherever its possessor may go.

Abigail was a wise reprover and counselor. David’s passion died away under the power of her influence and reasoning….

With a humble heart he received the rebuke…. He gave thanks and blessings because she advised him righteously. There are many who, when they are reproved, think it praiseworthy if they receive the rebuke without becoming impatient; but how few take reproof with gratitude of heart and bless those who seek to save them from pursuing an evil course.
Conflict and Courage p. 169
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for God’s guidance. R
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Dear Friends,

When I was a little girl, I used to love to look at my grandmother’s photo album. There was an old tintype of my great-grandmother as a girl of 18, some of other relatives I did not know, and a lot pictures of my grandparents, my aunt and my mother, and of course me.

Sometimes someone would sit beside me and tell me a little about the person in each photo. My mother’s favorite person to talk about was her granduncle Charlie. When she was little, he used to hold her in his lap and tell her stories. He would play whatever she wanted to play and just spend quality time with her. She often told me how kind Uncle Charlie was and how much she loved him. She wished that he was her father so she could be with him always.

Just as I learned about Uncle Charlie from his photo, so we learn of Jesus through His Holy Word and the witness of others. Jesus prayed for His followers of all ages, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” John 17:17-20 He commands us, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Mat 28:19,20 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:7,8

Just as my mother shared the experiences that she had as a little child with Uncle Charlie, so we are to witness to others by sharing what our Dear Saviour has done for us. John says, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” 1 John 1:3,4,5:10 Jesus speaks of this witness that we must have welling up from within us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat 5:14-16 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and beside me there is no saviour.” Isa 43:10,11

May we, daily, see Jesus through His Word. May we become more and more like Him. May others, by our words and by our actions, take “knowledge of , that been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Rose