Scripture: I Samuel 25
Pro 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. I praise God for women who make a difference. Women of character full of grace and wisdom and courage. Women who make a difference for God and home.
Maybe you are familiar with the story of Elizabeth Elliot and how her husband had been speared to death trying to reach the lost tribe of the Hoaranian in Ecuador with the Gospel. Their daughter was 10 months at the time when he died.
Most women in that situation would pack up and head home to family. Maybe feeling a little bitterness, loneliness and fear for the future or even revenge would be normal. Call in the Army. Attack them all. No one would question that. That would be expected. But Elizabeth didn’t do anything a normal, worldly women would do. Elizabeth and the other missionary wives asked the outraged Ecuadorian government not to send the army against the Indians. Instead, Elizabeth continued to study the language of the Horanians and to pray for access to the tribe.
She was already sold out for God to be in Ecuador. Just because her husband died and she was a mother didn’t change her commitment and calling to God.
That’s where the rubber meets the road, isn’t it? What defines you? Is it what you do or what people call you? Elizabeth Elliot was God’s servant first and so was Abigail in I Samuel 25. I just want to show a few reasons why women like this make a difference for God.
First, Abigail didn’t let others change who she was. I Sam 25:3 says that Abigail was of good understanding and a beautiful countenance. Nabal, her husband, was a rich, wicked prideful man. Notice the contrast of Abigail’s character and Nabal in vs 3. Nabal didn’t have any integrity or fear of God. His name means fool. Rom 12:2 says: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Abigail didn’t let Nabal persuade or conform her into his image. She didn’t let the money or his wickedness change her. She transformed instead of conformed.
Second, she didn’t overreact but acted. Someone once said “people who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.” Nabal wouldn’t give any of his meat to David’s men in return for protecting his flock and servants. Nabal mocked them and sent them away. David was so mad that he was going to kill Nabal and his household. About the only person who didn’t overact in this situation was Abigail. She became the solution instead of part of the problem. She sent food ahead of her to David and then she sent herself in case the gifts were not enough. She was willing to put herself in danger and face an angry army for her household. Don’t let your emotions control you. Otherwise you will be part of the problem instead of the solution. Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
The last thing I want to make clear is that Abigail didn’t blame others, but took the blame. Even though she didn’t cause this problem, she accepted the blame.
1Sa 25:24,28 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be. Forgive the trespass of thing handmaid. If we are honest, we are a blame others culture. How many times a day would you say that you blame others for things. Going all the way back to the garden of Eden, blame has had its root in rebellion and sinful pride. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent and the serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on. However, Abigail wasn’t like that. She took the blame to save her family and her people. Psa 15:4 but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Praise God for women who are peacemakers. Overcoming evil with good & humbling themselves by taking the blame to save others.
We need women of character like that today who fear God and make a difference.
Elizabeth Elliot lived with the Horanian tribe in the jungle for almost two years & reached them with the love of Jesus Christ. Many of them trusted Christ as their savior, including the men that speared her husband.
Elizabeth Elliot Poem she wrote from college:
Perhaps some future day, Lord,
Thy strong hand will lead me to the place
Where I must stand utterly alone;
Alone, Oh gracious Lover, but for Thee.
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Matthew Spoonhour is pastor of First Baptist Church, Monroe.
