Emotions

 DEVOTION

1^ST SAMUEL

EMOTIONS

1 Samuel 25:4-13

4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: 'Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours! 7 "'Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.'" 9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David's name. Then they waited. 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?" 12 David's men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. 13 David said to his men, "Put on your swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

NIV

What an ugly man, this Nabel was, to respond to strangers coming in the name of David and bringing a blessing of long life and good health. Although Nabel is an example of self-centeredness, obstinacy, and downright meanness or wickedness, our story today is about the blessing of David upon Nabel and his household. Of course, having that blessing thrown back in his face, David felt that his blessing had not only been rejected, but his name had been thrown into the mud and stamped on. David is God’s anointed, and this Nabel could not care about anything or anyone except his own life. Is it any wonder that David strapped on his sword with the intent to destroy all that Nabel had, as well as his life? Was that right for David to be vengeful toward Nabel? Was it David’s emotions that took over? Is it right to seek revenge when our feelings are hurt? Revenge is only reserved for the Lord, and yet He does not treat us as we deserve. He does not seek revenge against those who revere him, but blesses them with his grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. But we are human, and when we are offended, even in the slightest way, we get upset, and anger takes hold of us, and we want to strike back, much as David wanted to strike back at Nabel. But shouldn’t we who fear the Lord be different? Do we still struggle with that old nature?  Doesn’t being a new creation mean we should not serve that old self or allow it to control our emotions, words, or responses? Couldn’t David have simply gone himself and approached Nabel in peace, rather than wanting to kill him? But then David was also human, with all the emotions, responding as a man, without the influence of the LORD. Still, his initial intent was to bless Nabel, but he was rejected, and that started him on the wrong path. Let us not allow others to control our emotions and lead us down the wrong path. Let us remember who we are, and who we are responsible to. We will see how this turns out for the best, because the Lord takes charge of the situation. Let us live with the Lord in charge of our lives, rather than our 'self' or our emotions being in charge.