People. God uses everyday simple people to intervene in our lives for his good. Abigail is a perfect example. Her husband was a mean, dishonest man who refused to help David’s men. Abigail gets involved by interrupting David’s attempt to kill Nabal. She offers him much to save her husband. Nabal dies at the hand of God instead. And Abigail becomes David’s wife. The sovereignty of God.

If ever you don’t believe that we serve a sovereign God, all you need to do is read the account of David’s dealings with Saul. God uses sinful men to accomplish his will. The people’s choice, Saul, is continuing to hunt for David with the intent to kill him. God is in total control and even chooses to keep Saul and his soldiers from waking up to discover David and his men in their very own tent. We serve the same God! He can make a way for his will to occur in miraculous ways. The sovereignty of God.

Saul believes that God is not listening to him. Saul is so human here. He knows the power of God and yet he goes searching in another direction for guidance. His fear and doubt take over. A witch is used by God to bring Samuel before Saul with a message from him that because of his disobedience, the Israelites will be handed over to the Philistines. The sovereignty of God.

Do we see this in our lives? Maybe not quite as dramatically as Saul and David but it’s there all the time. The people we meet who affect our lives for good and bad. The situations that make us think and make choices. The faith that grows daily due to God’s grace. The questions that are answered in time. The worries that get soothed with the knowledge of God’s great love for us. The mercies we see in the people around us and the great joy that we experience when we know that God has been in control forever.

Thank you, God! You have given us your Word in 1 Samuel to teach us of your sovereignty. Thank you for Abigail who teaches us to obey you in total faith regardless of the potential outcome. Thank you for Saul who teaches us so much about how not to follow you. Thank you for showing us your sovereignty in our lives today. Amen.

Karen E. Lawson, Fernandina Beach, Fla.