Who Are You Listening To?
Who do you listen to? When things get rough, or someone hurts or angers you or you’re just not happy with life. We recently looked at this at women’s bible study. We’ve been studying Esther and in the thick of things with Haman.
Haman was a close confidant to the Persian King. He was very self-seeking and expected others to bow and revere him (beyond reality). Mordecai (Esther’s cousin) would not bow and pretty much ignored Haman. Haman was furious one day and went home to his wife and friends ranting about Mordecai, they told him “Hang’m high and be happy” (I paraphrase). OF COURSE he went to those that would agree and give him bias and unwise advice, after all—as long as he was happy (Esther chapter 5).
Haman’s crew had a knee-jerk reaction. Like them, our character comes tumbling out when faced with an intense situation. In those moments how do we respond? Who do we listen to?
Abigail.
1 Samuel 25, Abigail was informed that David wanted to be compensated for the protection he and his men provided. Men were sent to Nabal (Abigail’s husband) where Nabal harshly refused! When David found out, he and his men loaded up swords in hand.
Abigail immediately gathered what she knew was needed for the moment and headed out to meet David. The first thing she does when she sees David—she bows. She proceeds to tell him, “Yes, Nabal is a fool.” But she goes on with “Now since the Lord…surely the Lord…for the Lord will certainly…when the Lord has done… the Lord has brought.” Basically, I know you’re angry and with good merit, but David who is your God? She brought it all back to God, NOT to all the reasons, or who upset him—but God. David calms and says, “Blessed be the LORD, and bless you for your discernment that kept me from bloodshed today and vengeance” (vv32-33).
Notice David didn’t comment on the bundles of food surrounding them or that she even bowed, but it was her discernment. In verse 3 it opens describing Abagail as beautiful and intelligent. Yet, the word(s) used for intelligent is more than knowledge, meaning discretion, insight with good sense. This insight is a gift from God (1 Chron 22:12) it gives patience (Pro 19:11) it is commended (Pro 12:8) and fools despise it (Pro 23:9). Advice (or counsel) that brings it all back to God is wise!
Abigail ended up in the palace. What became of Haman? Well, the advice he got turned out to be the death of him (literally, Esther 7:10). May we be very careful who we listen to, who speaks into our life, into our situation. If all they point to is our happiness, they aren’t pointing to God. God’s standard is higher; He’s ultimate goal for us—be holy. Happiness shifts and is dependent on favored personal circumstance. However, joy is a by-product of living an obedient, Jesus following, God pleasing life. Don’t let who and what we listen to be the death of us or death of something in our life.
Who are you listening to?
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
The above is an excerpt from my teaching at women’s bible study.
Inspired Fountain 