Interceding for another in prayer, in thought or even in deed is, in my view, special. The scripture teaches us that ” the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much.” I surely appreciate when someone says to me, “I have been interceding and praying in your behalf. It gives me that “warm and fuzzy feeling” and my heart glows within.
It reminds me of the biblical story of Abigail who I’m certain prayed for her husband; but whom also interceded in his behalf in deed. Her husband, Nabal demonstrated the adverse issues within his person. He was negligent, and his response to David’s men asking for some provisions, after they helped him, reveal how foolish and unkind he was.
When David heard of this; it incensed his anger and immediately acquired his sword with 400 men headed to kill Nabal.
Meanwhile one of Nabal’s servants went to Abigail and told her, “David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them. These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them. Nothing was stolen from us the whole time they were with us.in fact day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep.” He continued, ” You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family.”
Abigail did not think twice nor waste time. She gathered enough food to feed an army and loaded it on donkeys and told her servants, “Go on ahead, I will follow you shortly.” She did not tell Nabal what she was doing.
As she was riding her donkey into a ravine she saw David. So she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. I know Nabal is a wicked and ill tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent.”
Her intervention, I surmise may have taken David by surprise. Abigail reveals her quick thinking and willingness to advocate in behalf of someone so foolish. Indirectly, she also intervened in her behalf and that of her family and entire household. She assumed the responsibility of her husband’s foolish negligence.
This is intercession at its best. She told David, “please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong your entire life. Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch.”
In reading the following scripture portion, I imagine Abigail as a woman of faith and trust in God. She was secure in that faith because of her boldness to face an angry David. She tells him, “when the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, don’t let this be a blemish on your record. Then your conscience won’t have to bear the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and vengeance.”
Her sincerity and submission is revealed when she tells him, “And when the Lord has done these great things for you, please remember me, your servant!”
David responds, “Praise The Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! Thank God for your good sense!” He accepted her gift of provisions and told her. “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said.”
Her intercession and advocacy and her submission; saved her and her family and entire household. She pleaded in their behalf and they were spared death.
I believe prayers interceding in my behalf and that of my family have provided that which we all need; “Peace and prosperity to you, your family and everything you own.”
God certainly is good, isn’t He?
ritasalomon 