*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*STOP ANY FORM OF ABUSE!*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Sam 25: 3 *Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.*
*Insight and Highlight*
When there is any form of abuse, keep no silence, or you will be silenced forever.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
It was ironic that Nabal, a wicked man, was from the house of Caleb. Moreover, one would wonder how a *"....woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance:..."* would be a wife to a *".....churlish and evil....."* man like Nabal ,1 Sam 25:3.
We can learn a few things from the life of Nabal and Abigail.
First, their story tells us that people do struggle in relationships. In the midst of affluence, a party to a marriage may suffer terribly but in silence.
This story tells of Nabal who *"....liveth in prosperity,....."* (1 Sam 25:6), yet his wife, Abigail, was living unfulfilled emotionally.
Second, we can learn that when anyone (either wife or husband) is abused in a relationship, it will not be so hidden that someone will not know about the abuse.
Nabal's servants knew him. The story records that one of the young men who was there told Abigail to attend quickly to the matter or else *"....evil is determined against our master, and against all his household..."*
The young man sadly informed saying Nabal was *"......such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him"* (1 Sam 25:17).
The words of this young man tell us further that we must not conceal the attitude of an abuser when we know one. We can save lives just as this young man saved Abigail and her household by his timely information to Abigail.
Third, even when a woman is not able to run out of an abused relationship, she must never pretend all is well.
She must speak out wherever she knows help can come from.
Many women pretend. They protect their abusive husbands. They say pleasant words of an unpleasant character. Abigail pleaded with David saying *"......regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him:...."* (1 Sam 25: 25). She saved herself, her household, and many others, and she received help. She did not lie like some women would.
Some women stay in abused relationships, and worse still, they tell no one the truth about the violent behavior of their husbands. If you are struggling, tolerating, and enduring such a relationship, at least remember to say the truth of the violence or abuse to someone. Help is available, and there is always a way out.
To continue to tolerate and lie about your abuse makes you a disaster waiting to happen.
Most of those who refuse to speak out do not come out of their abuse alive.
God was watching. Nabal may even have been saved, but his evil has reached a point of no return. God smote him, and his wife became another man's wife.
It is, however, also important to note that abuse is not gender based. Women abuse men, too.
Irrespective of its base, let us be one against any form of bullying in the home or anywhere.
*Remorse corner.*
Be not partakers of other people's sins.
If you know of any form of abuse, report it and seek help for the helpless.
*Call to Word action.*
1 Timothy 5:2 *"...... neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure"*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
There are times silence is golden, and there are times, silence is not!
When there is abuse, speak out against it. You will save yourself, your household, and others.
*Prayer.*
Lord, keep me pure. Do not let me abuse or bully anyone. Let me be at peace with all men, in Jesus name.
Good morning, all, and be blessed as you go today.
God bless you.
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