Dad always called me a woman of action—an Abigail—because I tended to act quickly in emergencies.
My niece was young when doctors diagnosed her with brain cancer. She and her family were missionaries in Spain at the time. I prayed for God to heal her, but I also researched her type of cancer.
Unsure that Spanish doctors would choose the proper treatment, I asked an oncologist at church about her condition. I discovered that a nearby children’s hospital reviewed pediatric cancer records weekly. They examined her records for free and ensured the best treatment for my niece.
Nabal was a wealthy but harsh and bad-tempered man. Nabal’s wife Abigail, however, was discerning and beautiful. It was sheep-shearing time, and David’s men protected Nabal’s workers and herds in the fields. As was customary, David’s men politely requested food from Nabal, but he refused them disrespectfully.
David was offended and swore to kill every male in Nabal’s household because of this offense. Abigail learned of the situation and acted to protect her home and employees. She had food prepared for David and sent it to them.
Although she was of high standing, Abigail humbled herself and bowed at David’s feet. She apologized on behalf of her foolish husband. She showed strong faith in God and appealed to David’s conscience. Shrewdly, she framed the situation to show how God had saved David from senseless killing. David realized that Abigail’s quick thinking had averted bloodshed. He blessed her and told her to go in peace.
Instead of exhibiting fear or anger in this unfair situation, Abigail took charge and made things right. While we always want to empathize with others’ problems, often the best response includes acting, like supplying food or shelter.
Abigail’s wise actions and humility saved many in her household. We should always consider others better than ourselves, not in a self-deprecating way, but voluntarily giving up our rights as Christ did.
Think of some practical actions you could take on another’s behalf.
Joy Nevin Axelson is a Christian author of several published poems and works of nonfiction. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and from the University of California, Santa Barbara, respectively. She also attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and North Park University. In addition to being an author, she is the translation coordinator for GlobalFingerprints, the EFCA’s child sponsorship branch. Her translations of training materials are used at twelve international sites. She enjoys traveling with her husband and two older children. Check out her website at www.joynevinaxelson.weebly.com.