Wisdom for Life: Healthy Relationship

Wisdom comes in all forms – sometimes it is very ‘academic’ in nature, focusing upon something you can know and understand, and sometimes it requires almost no ‘book smarts’! Wisdom is not just something you can ‘know,’ sometimes wisdom is something you ‘do.’  For instance, you can understand human biology and sexuality and even grasp something of the tension between the races; but that may not mean you have a clue as to how to get along with people. Some of the smartest and most capable people live their lives alone simply because they lack the wisdom that leads to good relationships with others!

 

The Bible is a story of a man named Nabal and his wife, Abigail. Nabal was driven and forceful and a capable and wealthy businessman. He had amassed quite a fortune because of his business acumen and ability to make sound business decisions. At the same time, though, he was recognized as a fool, as he had a hot temper and tended to abuse and take advantage of those with whom he did business. On the other hand, his wife wasn’t known for anything other than being attractive and able to get along with everyone; she was loved and respected by all who knew her!

 

In the Bible, I Samuel 25, there is a story of an encounter with King David of Israel just before he became King. He was out in the wilderness, and he and his men were hungry, and he sent his men to ask Nabal and his workers for some food. He rebuffed David’s men and made it clear he had no respect for David; this infuriated him! He told his men to get their swords because he would lead them to kill Nabal and all his soldiers! However, before David’s men could make the journey to the attack, Abigail heard what had happened. She tried to talk to her foolish husband, but he was passed out drunk, so she took matters into her own hands. She had her assistants help her load a mass of food and wine on horses and delivered the gift to David as he made his way into town. She apologized for her husband’s bad decision, asked for mercy from David, and fed them all. She made such a positive impression on David that he withdrew his intention to kill Nabal and returned home. Abigail then explained what she had done to her now-sober husband, who, upon hearing what his wife had done, went into a huge, screaming fit! In his rage, he had a massive stroke, which struck him down; 10 days later, Nabal died.

 

Here are a couple of things we can learn from this old story:

 

First, the willingness and ability to form good relationships with others can be a lifesaver in some situations. Nabal almost lost everything simply because he was rude to David’s men and didn’t want to help them – even though they had protected his workers while in the field! David didn’t kill him only because of Abigail’s efforts. She was kind and gracious, apologized for her husband’s offense, and was generous in the way she helped David and his men. 

 

She saved lives with her very simple efforts!

 

Another thing we can learn is that it often takes real work to form and even heal the relationships in our lives. Abigail took the initiative to mend their broken relationship with David. Then she did the hard work of traveling, giving gifts, and even offering an explanation and apology for her husband’s actions. Too, David demonstrated that some relationships could only be saved with forgiveness is given. David ‘let it go,’ and went on his way, allowing Nabal and his people to get on with their lives.

Good relationships are priceless and a continual source of God’s blessing! 

 

Let us all learn the ways of good relationships from both Abigail and David and put those lessons into practice. 

 

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Thank you for listening. We will see you next week.