One Step Ahead

 I have to say, one of the first fundamental lessons I learned on my faith journey is that God is always one step ahead.  Often, the minor challenges we presently face are divinely designed to equip us to successfully overcome greater challenges that lie ahead. 

 

I’m sure there are many examples to learn from in the Bible but I’d like to consider one specific scenario for support.  

 

1 Samuel 25 narrates a story of a young David and his group of men running from their biggest adversary, King Saul.  While in the wilderness, David and his men befriend a group of shepherds who belong to a man named Nabal.  David, being an expert shepherd himself, goes out of his way to voluntarily shield and protect Nabal’s herds. In return, he requests the small favor of nourishment for the men and himself. 

 

Nabal however, denies David’s request for food and in return mocks David, calling him a fugitive that runs from his master.   This infuriates David and his men.  They decide to take matters into their own hands and give selfish Nabal a lesson that would likely cost him his life.  

 

Now my favorite part, Nabal’s beautiful and wise wife Abagail saves the day.  She hears of the conversation that transpired between David and her husband and quickly prepares a parade of delicacies to meet David.  

 

she fell at his feet and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord,… Please pay no attention, my lord, to that wicked man Nabal… And now,…since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal…  The Lord your God will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my lord,…Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel,  my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant. 

(vs.24-31)

 

Abigail gives David a friendly reminder of God’s promises to him.  She advises him to abstain from taking matters into his own hands and commit needless bloodshed.  If you allow it, the Lord will make a way for you and you will become king as he promised.  But your conscious will bother you for committing this murder.  Allow God to avenge your enemies for you, there will be no remorse on your part.  

 

David is blown away by her wisdom and advise.  He realizes that it was God himself that sent Abagail and through her taught him a vital lesson for what was to come.  

 

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. (vs.32)

 

Abagail was right, God punished Nabal, and he was soon struck dead on his own account. 

But you see the story does not end there, it continues into chapter 26.  David finds himself in the inner loop of King Saul’s camp, standing directly over the sleeping King.  His right-hand man urges him 

 

Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear…”(vs.8) 

But David’s response is…

 

Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the Lord lives,”… “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. (vs.9) 

David literally reiterates the lesson he had just learned from the previous chapter.  God has divinely ordained the entire scenario with Nabal in order to prepare him for his encounter with Saul.  I imagine chapter 26 would have ended much differently had David not encountered the events of chapter 25. 

 

I remember when God had personally taught me a similar lesson.

 

Shortly after my husband and I were married, we were already dreaming of our first starter home.  We started praying about it and a few years of shopping had passed until we thought we found the perfect little home for us.  It was going to be a private sale in a very desirable neighborhood.  Although the home required some work, we had already mentally figured out the entire new floor plan.  We had about half of the funds needed to purchase and remodel the home, and needed a supplemental bank loan to cover the rest.  A friend had already recommended a few banks and I couldn’t wait to get the ball rolling.

 

Although my initial loan interview went as expected and very promising, I soon received a shocking denial letter.  My husband suggested trying another bank.  Again, very promising but after weeks of waiting, another shocking denial.  

 

Luckily the seller was very patient about the sale and postponed the closing for the second time.  This time my husband’s family had associations with a local banker in their area and we traveled to apply with them. My father-in-law even offered to co-sign the loan.  Again, very promising but just as prior for minor mishaps the loan was denied.  In the meantime, I have educated myself on everything I needed to know on homeowner loans, underwriters, rates, and credit scores.

 

We were heart broken.  It was hard to accept, but we finally acknowledged that this was not the home for us.  

 

I became discouraged and realized it would have to take some time before we try again.  About six months later I was on my way to my parents’ house when I noticed a recently listed home.  It was newly built and on curb appeal looked to-good to be true, especially after our recent experience.  I reluctantly gave them a call and was not surprised that they were asking almost double the amount of our previous interest.  I scheduled a showing just out of curiosity.  

 

As we were leaving to see the house, my father happened to drop by to say hello.  He tagged along.  Long story short we fell in love with the house.  There were already a few serious inquires so our only option was to put in an offer immediately. Although we couldn’t believe what we were doing my father was there strongly urging his support.  The following day I went to the bank.  The interview went well, within hours I received the call that the underwriters have approved the loan. Within 5 weeks we were moved into our new home.  I have to say I am confident that had I not set and learned everything I did from the first experience, we would never successfully purchase our beloved home.  

 

God is always one step ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting Text

 

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.(Ps. 32:8 NLT)

 

I myself will prepare your way…(Is. 45:2) 

The LORD himself goes before you…(Ps.34:18)