This Shall Be No Grief Unto Thee.
Looking to the future and trusting in God's promises can bring peace and wisdom in the midst of challenges.
F.B. Meyer reflects on the wisdom of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25:31, emphasizing her ability to avert disaster for David by encouraging him to consider the future and the consequences of his actions. Abigail's insight reminds us to view our current struggles through the lens of God's promises and the eventual resolution of our troubles. Meyer highlights that just as God assured David of victory over his enemies, He will also fulfill His promises to us, urging us to trust in His timing and sovereignty. The sermon encourages believers to remain calm in the face of adversity, knowing that God will ultimately bring justice and peace. By looking beyond our immediate passions and frustrations, we can find hope and assurance in God's faithfulness.
Text
This shall be no grief unto thee. 1 Sam. xxv. 31.
THERE was an inimitable blending of woman's wit with worldly prudence in the words of the beautiful Abigail. Poor woman, she bad had a sorry life of it, mated to such a man as Nabal was! An ill‑assorted pair certainly, though probably she had had no hand in bringing about the alliance. Like so many Eastern women, she was the creature of another's act and choice. But she succeeded in averting the blow which David was hasting to inflict, by asserting her belief that the time was not far distant when he would no longer be a fugitive from his foes, and by suggesting that when that happy time came it would be a relief to feel that he had not allowed himself to be carried to all lengths by his hot passion.
It was very salutary advice. Let us always look at things from the view‑point of the future, when our passion shall have subsided, when time shall have cooled us, and especially when we review the present from the verge of the other world ‑‑ how then?
We can well afford to do this since God is with us, and our life is bound up with Him in the bundle of life. Abigail reminded David that God would do to
him all the good of which He had spoken, and would sling out his enemies as from a sling. So God will do for us; not one good thing will fail of all that He hath promised; no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper. Within a little, Nabal was dead, and David's wrong righted. So shall the evil that now molests us pass away. God will deal with it. Let us leave it to Him: before Him mountains shall melt like wax; and we shall have nothing to regret.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Looking to the Future
- Abigail's Advice to David
- God's Faithfulness to Us
- God's goodness and protection
- The defeat of our enemies
Key Quotes
“Let us always look at things from the viewpoint of the future, when our passion shall have subsided, when time shall have cooled us, and especially when we review the present from the verge of the other world.” — F.B. Meyer
“So God will do for us; not one good thing will fail of all that He hath promised; no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper.” — F.B. Meyer
“Before Him mountains shall melt like wax; and we shall have nothing to regret.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Take time to consider the consequences of your actions before making a decision.
- Trust in God's goodness and protection, and remember that He will do all the good of which He has spoken.
- Leave your troubles to God, who will deal with them and make them pass away.