Dan Houze, January 2, 2005
A GOD-DOMINATED HEART
Remaining God-Dominated in Spite of
Fools
We all have to deal with fools; they cheat you, gossip about you and provoke you. They are surly and can't be reasoned with.
How will you respond to fools in 2005?
Revenge is one of the strongest human instincts, but also one of the most dangerous to both revenger and revengee.
In this passage, King David had found a way to be productive in the wilderness while he was running from Saul, protecting others' property. As a result, he encountered Nabal, who's name means fool.
1. Be ware of conditions that cause you to respond with rashness.
For example, David was probably tired of running from Saul when he snapped and plotted revenge against Nabal.
Each of us needs to have a plan to deal with the conditions that can lead us to rash behavior.
2. Be cautious of responding to someone's foolishness with foolishness of your own.
To put things in terms of recent events in the NBA, Nabal was a drunken spectator throwing a beer at a player. If you are that player, will you go into the stands after him?
3. Consider what is most valuable to you.
David lost touch with his God of glory and wanted to go into the stands after Nabal. What is at stake even if you respond with vengeance only in your mind? A root of bitterness can form – see Proverbs 19:11. And in this case, if David would have taken his revenge, he would not have gained Abigail as his wife.
4. Allow the Lord to fight your battles.
In this case, Abigail intervened and the Lord disposed of Nabal without David having to lift a finger. Plus, David gained a very intelligent and beautiful wife!
In years past at a different church, Dan was involved in the removal of a pastor for just cause, and as a result was the victim of a lot of gossip. He went around trying to address each instance he heard about, to resolve it in the minds of each party involved, but it was like trying to put out a brush fire. A wise mentor counseled Dan to let the Lord fight those battles rather than chasing around to do it himself, based on Psalm 64. Dan did, and it worked out well.
What are the battles in your life right now? Do you trust God to take care of them for you?
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