Blemish On Your Record

One of my favorite Old Testament stories is found in 1 Samuel chapter 25, and it includes one of my favorite “unsung heroes” whose name was Abigail.  I have preached about her and taught about her many times, and she proves to have something to say to us too profound to go unnoticed.

David had been long promised the kingship, but it hadn't yet happened.  And as he awaited the position of great power, God used many distractions to prepare him for all that lay ahead.

One of those distractions is found here in our text.
David was on his way into the wilderness of Maon during sheep-shearing time and was coming upon a wealthy man named Nabal.  Nabal, who was a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.
David sent some of his men up ahead to talk with Nabal and remind him of the time his shepherds were spared in their presence and the provision that David and his men provided for them under their care.  Since David and his troops were arriving during celebration time, they were now asking Nabal and his men to return the favor by sharing with them any provisions they had to spare.

But Nabal’s response was full of hate and disrespect.  Disgusted and irritated that David would be so bold as to ask this, Nabal denies his request for provision.

At this, David’s men do only what they know to do and respond in the only way they’ve have been conditioned to, and that is warfare.  “Get your swords!”  was David’s response (verse 12).

Meanwhile one of Nabal’s servants finds Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and explains to her what’s going on, and she wastes no time in providing a solution.

A redemptive solution.

She gathers food, packs and loads it onto donkeys, and tells her servants to go up ahead and that she’ll meet up with them later.  Her only conviction was to not tell her husband what she was doing.

When Abigail saw David coming, in a battle position and bloodthirsty, she quickly dismounts from her donkey, bows low before him, offers food to he and his warriors, and contends for peace.  She says in verse 25, “I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man, but please don’t pay any attention to him.  He is a fool… but I never even saw the young men [messengers] you sent.”

She continues by reminding David of who he is and what he has been called to.  She says, “The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles.  And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life.”  (verse 28)

Oh but something even more powerful is revealed in verse 31.  She says, simply, “… don’t let the be a blemish on your record.”

Perhaps it’s the 9 most powerful and life-changing words in all of the Old Testament.

“Don’t let this be a blemish on your record.”

I would whisper it to a girlfriend weeks ago when she was facing an ugly and debilitating situation in her family.  The temptation was to speak ill of the circumstance, and retaliate against the person causing and enormous amount of pain.  I would convey it to a friend who was tempted to use retribution as a means for “settling the score” with an ill-tempered co-worker because, after all, this isn’t “fair.”  I would even put before myself the challenge when mercy and grace feel more like burden than benefit.

Because we can’t afford to have THIS be a blemish on our record.

God has called you and I to so much more.
He has invited us into a life of holiness and He’s conditioning us for heaven.
Heaven on earth… here… now… because this is where the work is done.  This is where lives are forever changed. 
Right here… right now… is our only chance to offer sacrifices to the One who paid it all.

We have work to do.
We have a Gospel message to share.
We have been summoned to live a life in response to His nature and goodness.

And when we allow ourselves to be distracted by the evilness that exists around us, it becomes a blemish on our record.  One that forever influences our impact and usefulness.  Our spiritual growth suffers and the light of our witness is compromised.

I encourage you today… and I encourage myself to think before you act.  Think before you do something that will only serve as a set-back to the places you know God is taking you into.  The mission is too important and your call is too significant to allow THIS to be a blemish on your record.