CPR is needed for our Code Blue Humanity Alert! CrisisPivotRebirth #NOWSpeaksConversations #AbigailfromthePittstothePalace

PITTS = (Placed in a Treacherously Toxic Situation)

Scriptural Backstory I Samuel 25: 1-42 The Message Version

911 What’s your emergency?

We are in a Code Blue situation – Abigail and all of her household is about to be slaughtered because of her husband Nabal’s foolishness!

This message will share lesson One in some of what I have acquired from my study about Abigail who is a person that encountered a Cold Blue scenario which required C.P.R. intervention.

To Fight God’s Battles

25 Samuel died. The whole country came to his funeral. Everyone grieved over his death, and he was buried in his hometown of Ramah. Meanwhile, David moved again, this time to the wilderness of Maon.

^2-3 There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was a sheep-shearing time in Carmel. The man’s name was Nabal (Fool), a Calebite, and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and good-looking, the man brutish and mean.

^4-8 David, out in the backcountry, heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep and sent ten of his young men off with these instructions: “Go to Carmel and approach Nabal. Greet him in my name, ‘Peace! Life and peace to you. Peace to your household, peace to everyone here! I heard that it’s sheep-shearing time. Here’s the point: When your shepherds were camped near us we didn’t take advantage of them. They didn’t lose a thing all the time they were with us in Carmel. Ask your young men—they’ll tell you. What I’m asking is that you be generous with my men—share the feast! Give whatever your heart tells you to your servants and to me, David your son.’”

^9-11 David’s young men went and delivered his message word for word to Nabal. Nabal tore into them, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? The country is full of runaway servants these days. Do you think I’m going to take good bread and wine and meat freshly butchered for my sheepshearers and give it to men I’ve never laid eyes on? Who knows where they’ve come from?”

^12-13 David’s men got out of there and went back and told David what he had said. David said, “Strap on your swords!” They all strapped on their swords, David and his men, and set out, four hundred of them. Two hundred stayed behind to guard the camp.

^14-17 Meanwhile, one of the young shepherds told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, what had happened: “David sent messengers from the backcountry to salute our master, but he tore into them with insults. Yet these men treated us very well. They took nothing from us and didn’t take advantage of us all the time we were in the fields. They formed a wall around us, protecting us day and night all the time we were out tending the sheep. Do something quickly because big trouble is ahead for our master and all of us. Nobody can talk to him. He’s impossible—a real brute!”

^18-19 Abigail flew into action. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep dressed out and ready for cooking, a bushel of roasted grain, a hundred raisin cakes, and two hundred fig cakes, and she had it all loaded on some donkeys. Then she said to her young servants, “Go ahead and pave the way for me. I’m right behind you.” But she said nothing to her husband Nabal.

^20-22 As she was riding her donkey, descending into a ravine, David and his men were descending from the other end, so they met there on the road. David had just said, “That sure was a waste, guarding everything this man had out in the wild so that nothing he had was lost—and now he rewards me with insults. A real slap in the face! May God do his worst to me if Nabal and every cur in his misbegotten brood aren’t dead meat by morning!”

^23-25 As soon as Abigail saw David, she got off her donkey and fell on her knees at his feet, her face to the ground in homage, saying, “My master, let me take the blame! Let me speak to you. Listen to what I have to say. Don’t dwell on what that brute Nabal did. He acts out the meaning of his name: Nabal, Fool. Foolishness oozes from him.

^25-27 “I wasn’t there when the young men my master sent arrived. I didn’t see them. And now, my master, as God lives and as you live, God has kept you from this avenging murder—and may your enemies, all who seek my master’s harm, end up like Nabal! Now take this gift that I, your servant girl, have brought to my master, and give it to the young men who follow in the steps of my master.

^28-29 “Forgive my presumption! But God is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights God’s battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you.

If anyone stands in your way,
    if anyone tries to get you out of the way,
Know this: Your God-honored life is tightly bound
    in the bundle of God-protected life;
But the lives of your enemies will be hurled aside
    as a stone is thrown from a sling.

^30-31 “When God completes all the goodness he has promised my master and sets you up as prince over Israel, my master will not have this dead weight in his heart, the guilt of an avenging murder. And when God has worked things for good for my master, remember me.”

^32-34 And David said, “Blessed be God, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me! And blessed be your good sense! Bless you, for keeping me from murder and taking charge of looking out for me. A close call! As God lives, the God of Israel who kept me from hurting you, if you had not come as quickly as you did, stopping me in my tracks, by morning there would have been nothing left of Nabal but dead meat.”

³⁵ Then David accepted the gift she brought him and said, “Return home in peace. I’ve heard what you’ve said and I’ll do what you’ve asked.”

^36-38 When Abigail got home she found Nabal presiding over a huge banquet. He was in high spirits—and very, very drunk. So she didn’t tell him anything of what she’d done until morning. But in the morning, after Nabal had sobered up, she told him the whole story. Right then and there he had a heart attack and fell into a coma. About ten days later God finished him off and he died.

^39-40 When David heard that Nabal was dead he said, “Blessed be God who has stood up for me against Nabal’s insults, kept me from an evil act, and let Nabal’s evil boomerang back on him.”

Then David sent for Abigail to tell her that he wanted her for his wife. David’s servants went to Abigail at Carmel with the message, “David sent us to bring you to marry him.”

⁴¹ She got up, and then bowed down, face to the ground, saying, “I’m your servant, ready to do anything you want. I’ll even wash the feet of my master’s servants!”

⁴² Abigail didn’t linger. She got on her donkey and, with her five maids in attendance, went with the messengers to David and became his wife.

What a story of wisdom, courage, and tact. I am impressed by all of these and the many other characteristics that Abigail exuded when she encountered her 911 situation. She was in a horrible position where her husband Nabal acted recklessly and without honor shaming David’s ambassadors who in that time should have been received with dignity, grace, and open arms. Nabal did none of these common courteous customs of his time nor extended any civility to persons who had been looking out for his best interest. Matter of fact David and his army ensured that Nabal’s sheep were protected from any outside dangers whether it had been bandits or wolves; David’s army stood on guard 24-7 giving Nabal’s Shepherds security, safety, and confidence that they were going to make it through the herding season unscathed.

So, truly when the report got back to David of how his men were treated by Nabal and how he insulted David’s character; there was a storm brewing and heading directly to the path that led to Nabal’s household. David angrily called his troops together to form a posse that would go forth and slaughter every person associated with Nabal including Nabal as the main target.

Fear set in amongst Nabal’s servants and they knew that danger was approaching fast and furiously. Something had to thwart the plans of David. Someone had to intercede and intervene to avoid a catastrophe. That person was the anointed, wise, beautiful, intelligent, and ready Abigail.

If we were in a similar situation would we be ready without hesitation to negotiate and provide wise counsel that would change the trajectory of imminent harm?

The backdrop to this story presents itself where Abigail was in the PITTS. The outcome unbeknownst to Abigail was that she would soon be elevated to a next-level MORE Abundant station in life. Eventually, she’d be living in a Palace as a wife and queen to a king.

PITTS = (Placed in a Treacherously Toxic Situation)

So, before this shifting in her life occurred she had to walk in faith and approach a fierce warrior who had singlehandedly killed the Giant Goliath. What could she do to prevent this soldier from tearing her apart from limb to limb and proceeding on with his plan to massacre Nabal and all in his house?

Wisdom spoke in her and through her. Tact was her action. Courage propelled her to do the unthinkable. She immediately corralled a gracious gift to present and instructed her servants to take that offering in front of her arrival to be in the presence of David. Once she was visible she walked humbly before the “future King” and acknowledge him as such. She did not allow fear to stagnate her cause or shackle her tongue from speaking boldly before him. Just like we have the grace to come boldly before our King and Father’s throne she too opted to throw herself at the mercy feet of David and implored him to listen.

It appears that she approached David with the fortitude and strength that a woman who P.R.A.A.Y.S. walks in when moving into a time bomb situation.

Please note in upcoming lessons we will explore what I mean by Abigail P.R.A.A.Y.S.

P. =Pivot

R. = Resiliency

A. = Adaptability

A. = Agility

Y. = Yield

S. = So Be it! Selah & Shalom

God always desires us to come before Him and He is always listening so we should take note of Abigail’s actions to come quickly when there is a need before the one who can provide the grace and mercy to change outcomes.

She presented her case in an articulate, humble, but yet confident manner with even a tone of prophecy in her delivery.

Treacherous equates to danger. Toxic is venomous that creates poisons or outcomes normally fatal. Nabal was like a snake. He used folks and was portrayed as a fool, a bullylike brute, and a hard-hearted type of man. He was not one to listen to anyone with wisdom and ignored all common decency and courtesies that should have been done when acknowledging soldiers who made sure his property was safe. He was a wealthy man so providing sustenance to David and his men would have not put any dent into his riches.

Bottom line, Nabal should have known and acted better than what he did!

Abigail was portrayed as being a beautiful and intelligent woman who in her own right came from a wealthy part of the country prior to her marriage to Nabal. It is unclear if this was an arranged marriage but what stands out is the opposite way Abigail conducts herself amongst her staff and others. She has a demeanor of dignity, respect, wit, and resourcefulness. These and other positive qualities in her character were activated when broached with the Crisis by one of Nabal’s workers.

She was placed in a toxic almost unbearable scenario to deal with knowing that soon David and his army would be knocking at their door or rather bombarding their home with swords to carry out a death sentence on all of Nabal’s residents.

Abigail was in the PITTS!

The story does have a PIVOT when she quickly decides to honor David and his men with a multitude of food and drink to acknowledge the work they carried out in order to provide guard over Nabal’s business (his livestock and basically a portion of that which caused him great wealth). She elevated this PIVOT even further by presenting a posture of humility and wisdom before David. She reminded the future King that if he commits an act of violence out of being offended that he’s going to tarnish his reputation. She pronounced that God has always looked out for David and would not allow any of his enemies to prosper. David had to pause to dwell on the wisdom Abigail presented to him. David realized by acting rash he would cause greater harm than the insults Nabal slung at him for refusing to justly reward him what was commonly due for security detail.

If Abigail had not put herself literally in the line of fire, doom would have faced all in her household. This courage she walked in truly was empowered by God’s grace in her life. Moreso, she did not conclude her bidding by just asking David to halt his intentions to kill but she asked that when he ascended to the throne as King of the land, he would not forget about her.

What a word and seed to plant before the future King who had much power over the destiny of those he would lead.

Out of her own mouth, she made her request known, and thus sealed her fate. So, a change of heart occurred in David and a change of circumstance happened for Abigail.

After that encounter with David, she was able to return back to her home without the sentence of death to be carried out against all of the inhabitants. Although this was a great accomplishment and victory, the story does not end there for Abigail. God will never forsake us and leave us off worse than we were. When we trust HIM with all of our heart and lean not into our own understanding, He will truly direct our paths. Our paths will be rewarded with such wonders that we could not even imagine or think, but GOD does all of the time create blessings to bestow on those who are faithful to believe He can and will.

So, as the story progresses we find Nabal still acting like a fool not realizing that his party might have been the last one if his wife Abigail had not been there to stop David’s actions.

Still walking in wisdom, Abigail waited until the next day when Nabal was sober enough to provide him with the details of how she was able to stop David from killing him and all in their home. Nabal was so taken aback that he suffered a heart attack and after 10 days he succumb to his heart’s failure. Isn’t interesting that Nabal died because he had a bad heart. HMMMMM

Wow, my prayer is always, LORD Please create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me restore the joy of my salvation so that my mouth can show forth thy praise.

I don’t want to be a person who when people get around me or have been in my presence my heart is so cold without empathy or relatability of another’s circumstance. I do constantly ask for a heart check to make sure every crack and secret place is washed completely out so that I am not harboring any ill will against anyone. I don’t want to be a person who is toxic and creates treacherous situations or environments that people have to endure when around me. So, I constantly ask for my heart to be checked by God to make sure I am not vile or putrid or ugly or toxic or contrary or basically a foolish one who arrogantly exists. That didn’t play out too well for Nabal and I am confident it would not go well for me either.

Abigail had a next-level shift of elevation on her behalf when the baggage of her toxic husband Nabal was buried and put behind her. Now, that may sound harsh, I just affirm that in this story Abigail originally was in the Crisis risk management mode where she identified the appropriate actions to take to minimize damage and create a messaging where a win-win situation could occur from the most impacted parties involved. Nabal had a stubborn nature and there was not an indication of repentance or remorse even when Abigail shared how things worked out for the good. On the contrary, It seems that Nabal’s heart was so agitated by what Abigail shared (not pleased but maybe even angered) that he was stricken with a life-ending heart failure.

So with one road close – that one being a toxic and treacherous path; another glorious road opened up to Abigail. That new pathway led her to the palace of the King as the wife of David. What a wonderfully new and rebirthing was displayed when old things pass away but behold all things can become and do become new. Abigail’s N.O.W. (New-Beginnings is Our Witness) had arrived. She was moving out of Nabal’s messiness and moving into David’s blessing. She spoke and planted a seed that grew in David’s heart. When the opportunity opened she was able to walk through that door into an elevated life as a queen.

So, this is such an encouraging message that we can meditate on and pull out appropriate keys for our present-day lives.

Let us not be bogged down by the Nabals in our lives. Let God deal with them and let us remain focused on the task at hand. That task is to always seek to walk in wisdom, grace, tact, wit, beauty, and courage. We will always encounter moments where our choice could be to fight and stand or flee and be defeated. Let’s take the road that Abigail took and become empowered by God’s spirit and word that all things do work together to them that love the Lord and to those who are the called according to His purposes.

There is more to unpack regarding my study of Abigail, I just wanted to share some first impressions of how this woman of God changed destinies, changed outcomes, and even changed her station in life by simply answering the Code Blue call with C.P.R. messaging, methodology with metamorphosis. There was a crisis she immediately acted. There was a chance to create a pivot in circumstances she provided the words for that to occur. There was an opportunity for a paradigm shift to be manifested and a queen was birthed. So out of the PITTS into the Palace is how the story goes! Amen Indeed. Shalom.

Final Question: Who will you choose to be? Abigail or Nabal?

As we transition out of 2021 into the new me and you for 2022 I want to encourage us all to remain focused, purposed, specific, intentional, and empowered that we can definitely do all things in and through Christ who strengthens us.

If you don’t know about Christ or why I subscribe to faith in Christ as my Lord and Savior then I will extend the offer for you to get to know Him for yourself. It is your choice. You will answer one way or the other for the choice you make here on earth – as we all will. So, the following information provides just a few suggestions, scriptures, and a prayer to help you move into a closer realm of understanding of what Christ is all about and can be about for you.

C.P.R. -> Crisis Pivot Rebirth 

(N.O.W. = New-Beginnings is our Witness)

Subscribe to The Thankful Revolution The Thankful Revolution – N.O.W. equals New-Beginnings is Our Witness!

Isn’t it time for you, me, all of us to live our best lives! Let’s shift it into gear for next-level living where we are actually obtaining the “hoped for good” in our lives. Time for us to achieve the bucket list of goals we once thought were so far off and removed from our grasps. We can and will do this one step at a time, one dream realized at a time, one conversation at a time can spark the fire needed to fuel our promise fulfillment! Amen INDEED!

Let the conversations ensue and the shifting manifest into a tangible reality for our next-level transformation into what we were born to do – live life and that life MORE Abundant here on earth as it is in heaven.

The Thankful Revolution rejoices with you and looks forward to continuing to encourage, edify, educate, and inspire as we traverse along our life’s pathway and choices.  Enjoy the journey!

Continue to stay tuned for more on the meaning of LIFE as we explore Biblical Truths one word at a time, one scripture at a time, one moment in time, …let’s eat that daily bread! Selah, Shalom, Amen Indeed  Miriam a.k.a. Essence of Myrrh Proverbs 3:5-8 (TIME for a next-level New-Beginning)! We would be honored if you do Subscribe, Bookmark, Save, Share, Comment, Like, and Enjoy how N.O.W. = New-Beginnings is our Witness can be yours today through one daily Myrrhism Word/Message at a time. 

Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way.”

Check out Our Blog: https://thethankfulrevolution.com/blog/ 

P.S. Remember, to help us navigate through this life and enjoy a new life that one being eternal with God our Father; we have to make a decision N.O.W. = New Beginnings is our Witness. Below provides a prayer that you can ask the Lord to become your Redeemer, Healer, Savior, your everything to help you on your personal life’s journey – even though it may be bitter sometimes with God He always sweetens your steps. Love you always! Miriam aka Essence of Myrrh Proverbs 3:5-8.

HERE I AM LORD, HELP ME TO CHANGE INTO THE PERSON YOU BIRTHED ME INTO EXISTENCE TO BECOME. ALLOW MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE (OUTLOOK AND THOUGHTS) BECOME NEW. LET ME KNOW IN MY HEART THAT YOU ARE GOD AND IF I TRULY TRUST YOU THEN I CAN BE LIBERATED – BASICALLY SET FREE TO LIVE A LIFE HERE ON EARTH LIKE YOU DESIRE ME TO EXIST FOR AN ETERNITY WITH YOU IN HEAVEN. HELP ME TO VIEW YOU CLEARLY WITH A STEADFAST FOCUS! I ASK THAT ANY OBSTACLE THAT HAS HINDERED ME BEFORE OR IN MY FUTURE BE REMOVED SO THAT I CAN OBTAIN THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE FOR ME TO LIVE IN PEACE, LOVE, STRENGTH, POWER, AND FEARLESSLY. THANK YOU FOR EQUIPPING ME WITH ALL THAT I NEED (HOLY SPIRIT AND JESUS AS MY SAVIOR) TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THIS LIFE’S JOURNEY. I AM GRATEFUL, HUMBLED, AND WILLING TO BE YOUR FAITHFUL SERVANT. I AM HERE AND ASK FOR YOUR HELP EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME AND PROVIDING ALL THAT I HAVE NEED FOR ACCORDING TO YOUR RICHES IN HEAVEN. AMEN (SO BE IT)!

NOW Speaks!