When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.”
1 Samuel 25:39
During 2026, Peachtree Church is inviting everyone into Cultivate, a churchwide discipleship plan centered on the fruit of the Spirit and the kind of life God longs to grow in us. Throughout the year, we’ll explore how love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control take shape in everyday life through the Spirit’s work. Cultivate brings together worship, Scripture, group guides, and meaningful practices designed to meet you where you are and support growth in ways that fit your season. These twice-weekly devotionals are one way to stay connected, offering reflection and grounding for daily life with God. Whether you engage in many ways or just one, you’re invited to be part of this shared journey of becoming more rooted in who God has created and called you to be.
Devotional
When we are hurt, ignored, or disrespected, our instinct is often to take control. We want to defend ourselves, prove our point, or make sure the other person feels what we feel. In moments like that, peace can feel weak. Revenge feels stronger. But 1 Samuel 25 shows us that peace is often strongest when it refuses to strike back.
I will never forget the times I yelled at my parents (as a wayward teenager, of course) and they refused to react. It would have been easier for them to snap back at my disrespect with unkindness or try to defend themselves. But they received my anger and gave peace back to me instead. It always ended up dousing the flames.
David had every intention of avenging himself against Nabal. He was offended, and his anger pushed him toward action. Yet through Abigail’s intervention, God stopped David from doing something destructive. Later, when Nabal dies, David recognizes what really happened: God protected him not only from his enemy, but from his own sin.
That is a powerful reminder. Sometimes the greatest rescue God offers is not from what others might do to us, but from what we are tempted to do in response.
Christ’s peace teaches us to trust God with outcomes we want to control. Jesus was mocked, rejected, falsely accused, and crucified—yet he did not retaliate. He entrusted himself to the Father. That does not mean he was passive or powerless. It means his peace was rooted in trust rather than revenge.
There is a difference between boldness and self-protection. Boldness may require speaking up, setting a boundary, or addressing wrong. But self-protection often rushes toward vengeance, control, or proving ourselves right. Christ’s peace helps us discern the difference.
Maybe there is a situation in your life where you feel justified in being angry. Maybe someone has treated you unfairly, and part of you wants to make it right on your own terms. 1 Samuel 25 reminds us that not every battle needs our hands on it. Sometimes peace means surrendering the outcome to God and trusting him to defend what matters.
For Reflection
- Where are you tempted right now to take matters into your own hands?
- What would it look like to trust Christ with the outcome instead of trying to control it yourself?
Prayer
Jesus, when I feel hurt or overlooked, keep me from acting out of pride or anger. Teach me to trust You with what I cannot control, and form in me a peace that is strong enough to wait on You. Amen.
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Devotionals