Today’s 333 Devotional: “Fight God’s Battles, Not Your Own”

Doesn’t it irk you when you’ve done something good for someone and they repay you with evil? It’s where they don’t appreciate what you’ve done, but instead, treat you like dirt?

This is how David felt when Nabal said, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 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?” (1 Samuel 25:10-11)

David wasn’t trying to get something for nothing. He and his men were always good to Nabal protecting his men and flocks from harm.

David said, “It’s been useless–all my watching over this fellow’s property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good.” (1 Samuel 25:21)

Here’s the point, “Don’t sink to their level; instead rise above it to the level of the Lord and forgive.”

Abigail, Nabal’s wife, said to David, “May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name–his name is Fool, and folly goes with him … Please forgive your servant’s offense, … because (David) fights the Lord’s battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live.” (1 Samuel 25:25, 28)

Instead of sinking to the level of those who don’t appreciate what we’ve done, forgive them and fight the battles that need to be fought, God’s battles.

Let’s not respond in kind to those who have hurt us, because it will haunt us for the rest of our lives.

Listen to Abigail’s advice.

“When the Lord has done for my master every good thing he promised … my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself.” (1 Samuel 25:30-31)

Forgive what others do and let the Lord handle the rest.