Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Critical Decisions

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When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent." (1 Samuel 25:23–25)

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.