Rindy's Devotional Tidbits
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The Spiritual Cafe is pleased to share her daily facebook thoughts. It is our hope that her reflections will be a service to you on your spiritual growth journey.
Week 46 Archives
Year 5; Day 317 Choosing Wisdom Pt. 1
I was thinking about yesterday's post and how part of wisdom is knowing what to do next. I thought about the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail. Nabal was described as surly and mean in his dealings with others. Nabal's wife, Abigail, was said to be intelligent and beautiful. Before became king, David moved around a lot with a band of soldiers. He was an established military leader and warrior. Nabal was a rich man with a lot of sheep. While David and his men were in the area, they protected Nabal's servants and sheep, never taking any for themselves. When sheep shearing time came, David sent some representatives to Nabal with a greeting, well wishes, a reminder of how well they had treated Nabal's servants and sheep, and a request for some food, the amount left up to Nabal. Nabal could have responded with gratitude knowing David was to be the next king. Or he could have responded with arrogance, disdain, and insults. As with so many things, wisdom involves choice. Choosing the right next step involves wisdom. Nabal sent David's men back with nothing but an insulting refusal. Perhaps he thought he was wise, putting David in his place. He wasn't as we shall see tomorrow. Today is Monday. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7)
I was thinking about yesterday's post and how part of wisdom is knowing what to do next. I thought about the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail. Nabal was described as surly and mean in his dealings with others. Nabal's wife, Abigail, was said to be intelligent and beautiful. Before became king, David moved around a lot with a band of soldiers. He was an established military leader and warrior. Nabal was a rich man with a lot of sheep. While David and his men were in the area, they protected Nabal's servants and sheep, never taking any for themselves. When sheep shearing time came, David sent some representatives to Nabal with a greeting, well wishes, a reminder of how well they had treated Nabal's servants and sheep, and a request for some food, the amount left up to Nabal. Nabal could have responded with gratitude knowing David was to be the next king. Or he could have responded with arrogance, disdain, and insults. As with so many things, wisdom involves choice. Choosing the right next step involves wisdom. Nabal sent David's men back with nothing but an insulting refusal. Perhaps he thought he was wise, putting David in his place. He wasn't as we shall see tomorrow. Today is Monday. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7)
Year 5; Day 318 Choosing Wisdom pt. 2
If part of wisdom is knowing the next step, Nabal was very unwise in his reaction to David's request for some meat for himself and his men. It wasn't unreasonable as David had given protection to Nabal's servants and sheep. However, Nabal was surly and mean and he responded with insults and a refusal. Now David has a next step to take. After hearing a word-for-word report of Nabal's answer, David said to his men, "...Put on your swords!...and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David,..." (1 Samuel 26:13) Quite the next step! No discussion. No meeting to discuss options. No seeking the Lord's advice or wisdom. Instant anger. Instant reaction put into action. And as David marched, he seemed to get more riled because he promised to leave no male belonging to Nabal alive by morning. All because, "... He has paid me back evil for good." (verse 21) So often in Scripture we have examples of David seeking the Lord's counsel for his next step. Not this day! David wanted revenge without considering the cost. Never a wise next step. Thankfully a cooler head will prevail. Today is Tuesday. "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11)
If part of wisdom is knowing the next step, Nabal was very unwise in his reaction to David's request for some meat for himself and his men. It wasn't unreasonable as David had given protection to Nabal's servants and sheep. However, Nabal was surly and mean and he responded with insults and a refusal. Now David has a next step to take. After hearing a word-for-word report of Nabal's answer, David said to his men, "...Put on your swords!...and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David,..." (1 Samuel 26:13) Quite the next step! No discussion. No meeting to discuss options. No seeking the Lord's advice or wisdom. Instant anger. Instant reaction put into action. And as David marched, he seemed to get more riled because he promised to leave no male belonging to Nabal alive by morning. All because, "... He has paid me back evil for good." (verse 21) So often in Scripture we have examples of David seeking the Lord's counsel for his next step. Not this day! David wanted revenge without considering the cost. Never a wise next step. Thankfully a cooler head will prevail. Today is Tuesday. "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11)
Year 5; Day 319 Choosing Wisdom pt. 3
Nabal was unwise in his reaction to David's request for food. David was equally unwise with his knee-jerk reaction for revenge at Nabal's refusual. As he marched with four hundred soldiers towards Nabal's, a servant filled Abigail (Nabal's wife) in on what was happening and concluded with this statement, "Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him." (1 Samuel 25:17) The servant illustrated the difference between Abigail and Nabal...between being wise and foolish. She listened and could think. Nabal was wicked and unapproachable. Abigail had another skill. She could assess a situation quickly. "Abigail lost no time..." (verse 18) Abigail loaded up some donkeys with plenty of food and headed out to intercept David. Abigail met David with humility, a sincere apology, and gifts. She reminded David of the Lord's calling on his life and the consequences of unnecessary bloodshed on his conscience. Her wisdom in taking the next step saved everyone from disaster. This story has unwise, temporarily unwise, and wise. Where are we? Today is Wednesday. "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways..." (Proverbs 14:8)
Nabal was unwise in his reaction to David's request for food. David was equally unwise with his knee-jerk reaction for revenge at Nabal's refusual. As he marched with four hundred soldiers towards Nabal's, a servant filled Abigail (Nabal's wife) in on what was happening and concluded with this statement, "Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him." (1 Samuel 25:17) The servant illustrated the difference between Abigail and Nabal...between being wise and foolish. She listened and could think. Nabal was wicked and unapproachable. Abigail had another skill. She could assess a situation quickly. "Abigail lost no time..." (verse 18) Abigail loaded up some donkeys with plenty of food and headed out to intercept David. Abigail met David with humility, a sincere apology, and gifts. She reminded David of the Lord's calling on his life and the consequences of unnecessary bloodshed on his conscience. Her wisdom in taking the next step saved everyone from disaster. This story has unwise, temporarily unwise, and wise. Where are we? Today is Wednesday. "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways..." (Proverbs 14:8)
Year 5; Day 320 "Choosing Wisdom...Reflection"
It is so easy to read Scripture and go on...without taking the time to reflect or dwell or apply the words. Writing a post gives me opportunity to go below the surface. These last few days have been good for me... thinking on paper (or on Facebook). Nabal showed no wisdom...just an arrogant sense of entitlement with no gratitude, manners, or diplomacy. He did not appreciate his wealth, his wife, or his servants. David was an anointed king-in-waiting....humble, gifted, a natural leader. He usually demonstrated wisdom by seeking the Lord before acting. Usually. But not always. And then there was Abigail. Beauty, brains, and wisdom. Perhaps living with such a difficult person gave her experience in patience, quick thinking, and swift action. The servants trusted and respected her. I would like to always be an Abigail, never a Nabal. Most of us probably fall somewhere in between. David reacted rashly but had the wisdom to listen and heed the voice of reason. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (Proverbs 19:20) May this be our next step. Today is Thursday. I want to be an Abigail.
It is so easy to read Scripture and go on...without taking the time to reflect or dwell or apply the words. Writing a post gives me opportunity to go below the surface. These last few days have been good for me... thinking on paper (or on Facebook). Nabal showed no wisdom...just an arrogant sense of entitlement with no gratitude, manners, or diplomacy. He did not appreciate his wealth, his wife, or his servants. David was an anointed king-in-waiting....humble, gifted, a natural leader. He usually demonstrated wisdom by seeking the Lord before acting. Usually. But not always. And then there was Abigail. Beauty, brains, and wisdom. Perhaps living with such a difficult person gave her experience in patience, quick thinking, and swift action. The servants trusted and respected her. I would like to always be an Abigail, never a Nabal. Most of us probably fall somewhere in between. David reacted rashly but had the wisdom to listen and heed the voice of reason. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (Proverbs 19:20) May this be our next step. Today is Thursday. I want to be an Abigail.
Year 5; Day 321 "Nabal"
Nabal is still sitting there in my mind. What was the man thinking? He knew who David was. He knew he was a military force. Abigail knew David was chosen to succeed Saul so probably Nabal did too. David had only been good to Nabal, his servants, and his property. Why wouldn't Nabal want to return the favor to David? Scripture describes Nabal as "...surly and mean in his dealings...a wicked man that no one can talk to him...his name is Fool and folly goes with him." (1 Samuel 25:3,17,25) He wasn't a nice man! We probably all know or have heard of not nice people who seem to do just fine. Nabal was rich, had a beautiful wife, was king of his own castle. But unlike some, Nabal paid up sooner rather than later. When Abigail told Nabal what could have happened, his heart failed him, he turned stone-like, and died ten days later. Most would say he got what he deserved. But often they don't...not in this life anyway. And it can be frustrating and discouraging and disheartening. But as followers of Christ we are called to live by faith...not by fairness or justice or revenge. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) Sure and certain. We can be sure and certain that God will, in His timing, take care of everything and everyone. Today is Friday. "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Nabal is still sitting there in my mind. What was the man thinking? He knew who David was. He knew he was a military force. Abigail knew David was chosen to succeed Saul so probably Nabal did too. David had only been good to Nabal, his servants, and his property. Why wouldn't Nabal want to return the favor to David? Scripture describes Nabal as "...surly and mean in his dealings...a wicked man that no one can talk to him...his name is Fool and folly goes with him." (1 Samuel 25:3,17,25) He wasn't a nice man! We probably all know or have heard of not nice people who seem to do just fine. Nabal was rich, had a beautiful wife, was king of his own castle. But unlike some, Nabal paid up sooner rather than later. When Abigail told Nabal what could have happened, his heart failed him, he turned stone-like, and died ten days later. Most would say he got what he deserved. But often they don't...not in this life anyway. And it can be frustrating and discouraging and disheartening. But as followers of Christ we are called to live by faith...not by fairness or justice or revenge. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) Sure and certain. We can be sure and certain that God will, in His timing, take care of everything and everyone. Today is Friday. "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Year 5; Day 322 "Sufficient Grace"
There are times when I feel overwhelmed. Not a lot but there are times. Things pile up, schedules get crowded, time moves too quickly, the mind and body are hardly ever in sync. And I find myself saying something like, "I don't know how I am going to do this," or "This seems impossible." Discouragement can creep in and even some situational depression. I feel inadequate for the task(s) at hand. Last night I read a devotional by Graham Cooke. In it he said, "Being in Christ guarantees that as He is, so are we. Divine advantage allows us to never start with a deficit; we always begin with sufficiency." I had to read that several times. Never with a deficit. Always with sufficiency. Not how I've been thinking...or feeling. The first verse that came to mind was, "...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9) God's grace (good will, loving-kindness, favour) is sufficient (to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be enough) and is already mine in the right amount for whatever comes my way. I felt His assurance and reassurance settle over me. I can have what I need because He has it all... and so can you. Today is Saturday. He is enough.
There are times when I feel overwhelmed. Not a lot but there are times. Things pile up, schedules get crowded, time moves too quickly, the mind and body are hardly ever in sync. And I find myself saying something like, "I don't know how I am going to do this," or "This seems impossible." Discouragement can creep in and even some situational depression. I feel inadequate for the task(s) at hand. Last night I read a devotional by Graham Cooke. In it he said, "Being in Christ guarantees that as He is, so are we. Divine advantage allows us to never start with a deficit; we always begin with sufficiency." I had to read that several times. Never with a deficit. Always with sufficiency. Not how I've been thinking...or feeling. The first verse that came to mind was, "...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9) God's grace (good will, loving-kindness, favour) is sufficient (to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be enough) and is already mine in the right amount for whatever comes my way. I felt His assurance and reassurance settle over me. I can have what I need because He has it all... and so can you. Today is Saturday. He is enough.
Year 5; Day 323 "The Fragrance of Love"
I stopped wearing perfume years ago. So many buildings are scent free and various friends have allergies so I just stopped buying any. I had an Avon order come the other day and there was a little perfume sample swatch in the bag. I swabbed my wrists and enjoyed the sniff. As I thumbed through the book there were a number of sample fragrance circles on the pages. Wrists, knuckles, back of the hands, they all had a different scent. It didn't last long but I enjoyed the smorgasbord of smells. Jesus made a visit back to Lazarus, Mary, and Martha's home some time after He raised Lazarus from the dead. We don't always get a follow-up but to these people we do. How would you show your appreciation for something like that?! Lazarus gave a dinner in Jesus' honour. Martha showed her gratitude by serving. And Mary took an expensive bottle of perfume and poured it over the feet of Jesus and then proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair. "And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3) Mary expressed her love through an act that not only cost money but also sacrificed her pride. Attending the feet was servant work while unbinding her hair in public wasn't respectable. Her act of devotion filled the house with fragrance. What fragrance do we fill a house with? Laughter? Joy? Friendship? Love? Gossip? Negativity? Bitterness? Today is Sunday. What lingers after we leave?
I stopped wearing perfume years ago. So many buildings are scent free and various friends have allergies so I just stopped buying any. I had an Avon order come the other day and there was a little perfume sample swatch in the bag. I swabbed my wrists and enjoyed the sniff. As I thumbed through the book there were a number of sample fragrance circles on the pages. Wrists, knuckles, back of the hands, they all had a different scent. It didn't last long but I enjoyed the smorgasbord of smells. Jesus made a visit back to Lazarus, Mary, and Martha's home some time after He raised Lazarus from the dead. We don't always get a follow-up but to these people we do. How would you show your appreciation for something like that?! Lazarus gave a dinner in Jesus' honour. Martha showed her gratitude by serving. And Mary took an expensive bottle of perfume and poured it over the feet of Jesus and then proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair. "And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3) Mary expressed her love through an act that not only cost money but also sacrificed her pride. Attending the feet was servant work while unbinding her hair in public wasn't respectable. Her act of devotion filled the house with fragrance. What fragrance do we fill a house with? Laughter? Joy? Friendship? Love? Gossip? Negativity? Bitterness? Today is Sunday. What lingers after we leave?