Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 25:14-17; 32-38
A seminary professor said that if God says something once in His Word be careful about building a doctrine from it.
So many cults and heretical teachings are developed from this. He went on to say if God says it twice, take heed to what He is saying. And if He repeats it three times, you can be sure it is important.
God says in Romans 12:19, “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Just doing a simple search I found five other places that God says or teaches us the same concept.
If He says it that many times, I think it is safe to say He wants us to see this as highly important.
In our Family Memory Verses this week, we find this truth in what David has to say.
In 1 Samuel 25:33, David says to Abigail, “Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.” David had been consistently refraining from taking any action against Saul.
Even though David had been anointed by Samuel to be king, He was waiting upon God to open up the doors to his assuming the position.
Even though Saul had frequently sought to destroy David, David still waited upon God.
In this account, Nabal had insulted and snubbed David and his men, and David was ready to take revenge out of selfish motives. David saw the refusal of Nabal to include them in the shearing festival as a personal affront. He was ready to take revenge.
Abigail had been an instrument that God used to stop David from senseless bloodshed. God would be the One who would take revenge for David in His own way and time. I am thankful in my life that God has taken matters into His Hand and that I was not personally responsible for selfish revenge.
God has a purpose and plan and as believers we need to trust Him to work all things out for the good (Romans 8:28).