KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 25:13” And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword, and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men, and two hundred abode by the stuff “.

Please read 1 Samuel 25:1-44

In the passage, Nabal, a very rich farmer, was shearing his sheep. This period was a time when such farmers expressed open-handed hospitality and were kind to their neighbours. (Gen 38:12-13. David sent some of his men to Nabal to give him and his men some of the goods he was sharing.

Nabal blatantly refused. David became furious and gathered his men to attack Nabal. David, at this occasion, did not make any inquiries from the Lord, about whether to go or not. He was overtaken with anger.

Anger overshadows, our judgements such that we may easily throw away certain laid-down principles that we function with. The Bible says to be angry but sin not, let not the sun go down over your anger (Ephesians 4:26). In our moments of anger, we have to be obedient to the instructions concerning anger. It says that although you can be angry, don’t act instantly out of anger (James 1:.19-20) That would definitely lead to sin. Secondly don’t allow your anger to stay in your heart over a long time. That would give place to a demon to take over your life. (Ephesians 4:27). These are simple instructions concerning anger, yet many people fall short and ultimately regret various unfortunate actions they undertake. Note that all throughout David’s dealings around this period, he always enquired of the LORD, yet at this moment he forgot about the Lord and was going to kill.

Please listen to what Abigail said to David “Now therefore my Lord, as the Lord lives, and as thy soul lives seeing the LORD HAS WITHHELD YOU FROM COMING TO SHED BLOOD and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my Lord, be as Nabal”. Sister Abigail reminded David that it is the Lord who has prevented him from shedding blood and avenging himself with his hand. God did not want him to go that way, and if he had enquired earlier, the Lord would have asked him not to go.

After the wise sayings of Abigail, which were prophetic and inspired, David remarked….” Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent you this day to meet me and blessed be your advice, and blessed are you, which has kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. (1st Samuel 25:32-33)

Another lesson that we have to carry along is that in our moments of anger, we must be ready to listen to others’ pleas that come to us. Whenever you are angry, and you are ready to take any action to satisfy your ego, please give an ear to any other pleas that another party or even the one who has offended you makes.

As much as you can stay free from avenging with your own hands, do so. Prov 16:32 KJV” He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

PRAYER

In the name of Jesus, I do not yield to any negative emotions of anger and its subsequent misbehaviours. My emotions are always under my control through the grace of God.

FURTHER STUDIES.

James 1:19-20.” Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”.

Colossians 3:15” And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.