Critical Decisions

1 Samuel 25:20-28

AbigaiI knew her husband, didn’t she? Everyone knew what he was like, so why hide it? Why try to cover up what he had done? She didn’t. And yet she took the responsibility upon herself. “When you sent those ten men and they had that interaction with my husband, I wasn’t there to give another kind of response. But I’m here now as an advocate. I’d like to stand as a mediator between this man and all of your men who have been unjustly treated.”

What faith she had. She says, “David, as I look at you, I’m looking at the next king. Don’t ruin your record with a murder. You’re bigger than that. You have been wronged, but murder isn’t the answer. Wait! Wait, David. Take what I’ve provided and turn around and go back.”

What a speech! What a plea! When you’re faced with critical decisions, sometimes you have to do something very creative. Apart from the Bible, there’s no handbook that tells you what to do when those times come.

Often when we are faced with a crisis, the standard, garden-variety answer is to sort of tuck your tail between your legs, run into a corner, and let cobwebs form on you. But there is a better way. As long as you have breath in your lungs, you have a purpose for living. You have a reason to exist. No matter how bad that track record might have been, marked by disobedience and compromise through much of your life, you’re alive, you’re existing. And God says, “There’s a reason. And I’m willing to do creative things through you to put you back on your feet. You can lick your wounds if that’s your choice. But there’s a better way.” It will take creativity, it will take determination, it will take constant eyes on the Lord. But when He pulls it off, it’s marvelous.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

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Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading programme in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.