Startled by the abrupt entrance of the young shepherd, Abigail carefully listened to his words. While she knew quick action was needed, she took time to carefully devise a plan then gathered her servants to set things in motion.

Knowing she could not change Nabal’s heart, Abigail knew she could intervene to prevent a great calamity from falling on her family. Though she knew she was putting herself at risk to her husband’s anger, sometimes God called her to a place of peril to bring her household to a place of peace.

Perfectly described by his given name, Nabal was a fool. Looking out only for himself, his actions were harsh. How could she not see this side of him before they married? There was no point in dwelling on it now. Life with Nabal proved difficult, and in learning who Nabal was early on in her marriage, Abigail clung to God. She knew God loved her with an everlasting love, promising never to leave her. Resting on these promises, Abigail grew in wisdom and inner strength as she spent time with God. Watching over her household, she held on to the bigger picture and trusted God to use her where He had placed her. She created an atmosphere of love from the love God showered on her. With God’s wisdom and direction, Abigail held the house together.

Nabal’s actions today definitely topped every other crisis! Insulting the future king! David and his men had graciously guarded and cared for all of Nabal’s shepherds through the year. She wished they had come to her first!

Riding her donkey, the servants went before her carrying their gathered provisions. As she topped the hill, Abigail noticed David and his armed men advancing quickly. With the warning of the young shepherd coming true before her eyes, Abigail dropped down from the donkey and fell with her face to the ground as David approached.

Without lifting her eyes, Abigail took the blame. While not ignoring the reality of who her husband was, Abigail acknowledged what should have taken place in supplying David and his men with provision and asked for forgiveness. Reminding him of God’s favor and blessing, Abigail urged David not to taint his good record with an act he would regret. She referred to the sling that struck David’s enemy Goliath down. Facing Goliath, David proved to Israel God was with them in battle. Wouldn’t God bring justice upon Nabal as He had with all of David’s enemies?

God’s justice came. Returning after her encounter with David, Abigail found Nabal was holding a feast.

“And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.” (1 Samuel 25:36-38)

Through her life, Abigail learned to trust God above all else. She knew she could not change the heart of her husband or the difficult situation she was in. Rather than wallowing in her hardship and pulling others in, she rose above her situation, used godly wisdom, and worked through conflict to keep peace. She did not ignore her reality, yet she also did not add to the conflict with her responses. She knew God expected her behavior to be godly and righteous, even in the midst of adversity. Finding her security and peace in God enabled her to rise above the instability of her life and create peace.

Sometimes God places you with difficult people, maybe for just a season or maybe for a lifetime. When you rest in who you are in God’s eyes and find your security in Him, you will find you can rise above your adversity and respond in a way honoring to God. When you respond with love and grace to the unkindness of others, God’s guidance will bring peace into the turmoil. While your situation may not change, He will strengthen your heart, bringing you to a place of peace. Though you cannot change hearts, maybe God is using you to be the catalyst for change in that difficult person.

Hold on to God. Finding your security and peace in Him will enable you to rise above the instability in your life and create an atmosphere of peace.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:3-9 ESV)