"Take Risks"

So, 

Have you ever been afraid? Not sure whether it was worth it to step up and say something to make a difference? If you are a follower of Jesus, taking risks is who we are. Consider this lesson!

Sometimes we read stories in the bible, and say “what the heck”? And this is one of those times. It reads a bit like a movie script, maybe ready for an epic movie presentation.

David, the future King of Israel is running from the current King Saul. While hiding away, he does one of the local tribal leaders a good deed by protecting his flocks and shepherds from all threats, including raiders who would steal the animals and potentially kill the workers.

But when David and his troops run out of food, the local wealthy leader makes clear he has no intention of reciprocating David’s gracious gesture of protection.

David, and his disagreement with Saul, is of no interest to Nabal. 

In fact, David and his troops are of no interest. 

So, when David asks for food, Nabal not only says no, but he does it with attitude.

And David, one of the Old Testament characters we imagine we are to look up to - decides to do what to us seems horrible. 
He will punish Nabal for his refusal of food with a slaughter that could come right out of the Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings.

For his disrespect of God’s anointed, David decides the punishment will be destruction on an epic level. All males, not only Nabal and his family, but also all male servants and slaves. None will be spared. 

It is so ugly and terrible that it makes the mind recoil at the thought.

Revenge ought to always take our breath away, we who follow Jesus. Because we have been reminded by Christ that vengeance is the Lord’s, but also that we are to love our enemies.

Have you ever considered why?

Because no matter what they have done, they too have been made in the image of God, and there is always the possibility, no matter how remote, that grace will succeed in some way in penetrating the heart of one who may even be so close to irredeemable that not even a micron wide bit of grace could slide in.

But it might.

And so, God’s people have to remain vigilant for the opportunity to love even the most unlovable. One could even argue that the call to love our enemies simply reflects God’s love for us. 

The problem is, of course,  we don’t see ourselves as enemies of God, do we? 

We don’t believe we would ever choose to be God’s enemy. We would never refuse to do God’s bidding. 
Yet, we often refuse to feed God’s children, to clothe them, care for them, give them shelter, open our lives to them, even listen to them, and if needed learn to speak their language so we could communicate God’s love with them.

It turns out as the Apostle Paul says, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” 

And as sinners, we live at cross purposes from God. We often refuse to be the people God intends. We don’t even see how God is providing protection and provision for us and we fail miserably to be thankful.

Just as Nabal did. 

You see, Nabal in his arrogance didn’t get it. He thought he was amazing!

But, unbeknownst to Nabal, God was providing for him through David. 

And Nabal refused or was blinded to see the total destruction that was about to descend on his family. 

Imagine the nightmare where every single husband, son, father, and uncle is dead, and the flocks are scattered, the tents are destroyed and all that is left is the women and children with nothing. 

Nabal couldn’t see it. 

But Abigail could. She knew her husband, and she saw David’s protection for what it was. She knew that her husband’s rudeness was fatal. And she decided to act.

It had to be terrifying to ride out to the army of David not knowing what David’s response would be. But she decided that taking a risk was worth saving the lives of many, including her own.

Maybe God would see her gesture for the act of courage and faith she intended it to be.

And maybe David would too.

And David did, and made clear that Abigail’s taking a risk for peace resulted in not only the saving of lives, but also a saving of David’s reputation.

Taking risks is hard. It is scary. But it’s God’s work.

And we are called to be peacemakers.

In what situation are you called today to take risks and be the peacemaker God intended you to be?

Amen.