Page 63 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

vengeance into his own hand. David listened to the voice of Abigail and he was
genuinely grateful that he did not carry out the rash action that his soul was leading
him to perform.

I Samuel 25:32-33
Then David said to Abigail, "Blessed be Yahweh God of Israel, who sent
you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed
be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging
myself by my own hand.

The saints who journey to Zion will encounter many events similar to this one.
People will deliberately interpret events in a manner that is inconsistent with the
judgment of Yahweh. They will speak evil of your good works and they will reproach
you for your obedience. The tendency of the flesh and soul of man is to respond in
defense of one’s reputation, even as David set out to do. Yet, Yahweh will send an
intercessor in the form of His Spirit to counsel us to not go down this path, nor to
take up the sword in defense of ourselves.

Abigail healed David’s wounded spirit by telling him that he would surely see the
fulfillment of all the things God had promised him. In the same way, the Spirit binds
up our hurts and reminds us of the calling set before us and the surety of our
inheritance if we will continue to walk faithfully before God.

The Spirit would entreat us to not use the sword in our own defense. What is the
sword that we are tempted to take up? It is the tongue.

Proverbs 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the
tongue of the wise brings healing.

Do not allow your anguish and pain to lead you to speak rash words in defense of
yourself. Do not give in to the temptation to slash and cut others in retaliation for
their condemnation and misjudgment of your faithful walk. Follow the example of
our faithful Savior and restrain your lips from speaking in your own defense. Give
place to God to vindicate you in His own way and time. We are to count it a joy and
a blessing when others speak evil of us for our obedience. We will in no way lose our
reward.

I Peter 4:14
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the
spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken
of, but on your part He is glorified.