1 Samuel 25:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised … my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself.”

For meditation

At the risk of sounding political, I cannot avoid pointing out how eloquently the latest problems of Hillary Clinton and that of her political opponent, Donald Trump, speak to every child of God. The life of every Christian is an open testament to the world around us and, much as we may think we have privacy and the freedom to act in a certain way at any time, the future consequences of those actions must never be overlooked. It may not be the substance of the matter at that time, but the foul air it carries along could be destructive. The collateral damage is always painful, particularly on our witness in this dark world.

Our life is a walk on the path of righteousness for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a life of holiness and purity – a light that shines in absolute darkness (Matt. 5:14-16). It should reflect the divine rescue mission on Calvary, with a divine responsibility to rescue the perishing with our witness. Credibility cannot be sacrificed for anything. Integrity must be the rule, and that means much care. If we are not steadfast, we will slip somehow and at some point, and that’s why we can’t trifle with our call.

David set out on that slippery path against a man named Nabal (1 Sam. 25:13). He had been very careful to please the Lord, but the difficult circumstances of his flight from King Saul had subtly set him up for a fitful rage and murder. His ego was bruised, and that made Nabal, the perpetrator, a soft target for David. Nabal had no national significance and David might have thought that killing off the entire male population of his household would not hurt his political career (22, 34). But Abigail wisely told David he was wrong. There is the conscience to consider, and it is seriously troubling when the dust finally settles (31).

1. Are you at that point where you think your actions don’t matter to anyone?
2. Do you have it all figured out?
3. Have you looked beyond the instant gratification?
4. Have you considered your family, friends, and future career?
5. How about the Lord Jesus Christ, whose ambassador you are (2 Cor. 5:20)?

I pray you stop right there and thank the Lord for the Abigail in your face. She is a lifesaver.

So: May you consider the kind of person you’re angry with and give them no value (25); and may the Lord calm you down and give you His peace about it all.

Christ is our standard for integrity and Daniel takes every excuse away from us.

Shalom