WAIT FOR YOUR KING DAVID by KIM BILLIPS
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
| Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, “David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife.” – 1 Samuel 25:39-40 (NIV) |
Wait for Your King David
After my husband and I divorced, I was completely broken. I’d like to be able to tell you that I clung to the LORD, but I struggled. It was ugly. I teetered on the ledge of despair and disbelief. Through the brokenness, grief, and doubt, I spent many nights on the floor of my bedroom, crying out to the LORD.
Divorce was so devastating to me because it attacked my very identity. I felt unworthy of love, unattractive, and unwanted. I recall telling the LORD that I didn’t ever want to remarry. I never wanted to depend on anyone like that again.
About five years after becoming divorced, I was casually reading through my Bible one day and stumbled across the story of King David, Nabal, and Abigail. It seemed as though the LORD was giving me a sneak peek into the future regarding remarriage. I remained pessimistic.
The full account of this block-buster marriage story is told in Chapter 25 of 1st Samuel.
It’s full of hope. I’ll attempt to write my paraphrase of the story here.
Abigail was married to a ‘mean and surly’ drunk named Nabal. Nabal and Abigail had a very large estate where King David and his men were camping and guarding Nabal’s property. King David asked for some provisions for himself and his men. Nabal denied the King’s request. King David was furious and threatened to kill everyone in Nabal’s household.
A terrified servant shared the news with Abigail. Abigail, who is described as ‘wise and beautiful,’ secretly prepared the requested provisions and immediately took them to King David. With humility, she offered an apology to him, freely gave of the provisions, and as a result, saved her whole household. What a woman! She returned to her home, and within a couple of days, Nabal died. King David heard the news and sent word to Abigail, asking her to marry him.
Like Abigail, I eventually did remarry. The LORD blessed me with an honorable and loving man, Don. This holy union confirmed yet another scriptural truth, Psalms 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken.”
Ask for the LORD’s favor in your marriage and relationships. Even in difficult surroundings, the LORD’s favor is on your life. Write it down – today is the beginning of the LORD’S favor over your home. Place meaningful Scripture in your home as a reminder.
*This devotional by Kim Billips is taken from her upcoming 30-Day Devotional, The Gift of Encouragement, which is now available for PRE-ORDER.
KIM BILLIPS is the author of the upcoming 30-Day Devotional entitled, The Gift of Encouragement. In the Devotional, Kim detailed some of her difficult real-life experiences, such as her divorce, and how she overcame by having a personal relationship with the LORD and understanding His word. Through this devotional, she hopes to encourage many others with the truth found in the Bible.
PRE-ORDER The Gift of Encouragement by clicking HERE!
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