Making Lemonade


Have you ever heard someone who complains about their lot in life?  Maybe they're just a habitual grouch who 
is never happy.  Or maybe they have a "reason."  Perhaps some corporate rule disqualifies them from a job 
they want, or their finances can't support the preferred high-end lifestyle, or maybe even a physical disability or 
limitation is a hindrance.

I thought of those kinds of hindrances today as I read my Bible.  I was reading about Abigail.  

Abigail's story begins in 1 Samuel 25 where she is introduced as the wife of wealthy Nabal.  She is described 
as an intelligent and beautiful woman. Nabal, however, is described as surly, mean, and foolish!
	
The story tells of David sending messengers to carry his good wishes to Nabal.  David reminded Nabal of the 
favorable relationship of their past.  Wicked Nabal, however, rejected David's friendship.  David's anger flared 
and battle plans were drawn.
	
In the meantime, a servant told Nabal's wife, Abigail, of the insults Nabal had hurled at David.  The servant pled 
for Abigail's intervention.
	
Abigail knew that her family was in grave danger.  Scripture says that she lost no time.  She prepared food and 
drink and gifts and loaded them on donkeys.  Then she accompanied her servants to meet David.   Abigail 
bowed before David and begged him to hear her plea.  She acknowledged her faith in the Lord's promises and 
reminded David of those promises and the good things the God of Israel had done for David.
	
In gratitude, David praised the Lord and blessed Abigail for her good judgment.  David accepted Abigail's gifts 
and sent her home in peace.  While Abigail had peace, her wicked husband, Nabal, became disabled and, 
struck by the Lord, soon died.

Abigail certainly had hindrances.  Her husband was wicked and her family was threatened.  She herself was in 
danger.  Abigail lived in a time and culture without laws governing women's rights and in a time when customs 
frowned upon women playing leadership roles.

But Abigail did not sit and complain.  Instead, she took the lemon limitations she faced and made lemonade – 
she took what action she could.  Using good judgment, she acted boldly, but humbly, within the circumstances 
in which she found herself.  With courage, she protected her family and brought peace to her people.  
	
Abigail was rewarded for her action and her noble character.  David remembered her favorably and, after 
Nabal's death, asked her to become his wife.
	
Abigail stands out in scripture because of her wisdom, humility, and strength.  She was a woman of courage 
whose faith in God turned life's difficulties into a model example for today's Christian woman.  How fitting that 
such a righteous woman should become the wife to the only man described in scripture as being after God's 
own heart.

It's a good story.  You'll find it in 1 Samuel 25.  O, by the way, you might want to make some lemonade to enjoy 
with it.



Submitted by a Northside member