In Psalm 101:2 David promises himself: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way.”
I believe He tried to live by that motto most of his life. Otherwise, God would have never called him “a man after My Own Heart!” (Acts 13:22)
But one day David met a “fool,” a wicked and selfish and unkind man named Nabal. A man who embarrassed and belittled David’s needy men, even refusing them food and water … all this after they had protected Nabal’s herds from countless thieves and marauders!
Shame was such a “big thing” in that day long ago that David swore vengeance, or at least a good apology for his men. But none was forthcoming, not a word of remorse!
David, perhaps in a fit of (unwise) anger, swore vengeance on Nabal and his company. And the young King-to-be well-nigh murdered Nabal, in all reality!
He (David) was only dissuaded by the “fool’s” Wife, Nabal’s Wife, a pretty lady named Abigail.
Here’s what she said to David about her wicked man … “Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.” 1 Samuel 25:25
The very name “Nabal” in Hebrew means “fool!
Did you notice that?
Abigail reluctantly but fearfully admits … “As his name is, so is he!”
His name means “fool” and so he is (a fool)!
Now THAT gets me to thinking about our names. Do we even know the meanings of most of our names?
Nabal certainly had a name, a bad one, but he lived up to it … living and dying as a “fool!”
Fine out the meaning of your name, then get a good Bible Verse to go with that definition … and see if you can make something good issue out of your very name!
Oh, to live up to the meanings of our names!
In a good sense, of course.
Let me give you an example.
The name “Mary” (or “Maria” or “Miriam,” all from the same root word) literally means “bitter!”
You sure do not want to live up to that!
So, you reverse the idea, “I will NOT be a bitter Christian!” Using Ephesians 4:31 as a “life verse.” It says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”
Wow!
Potentially life-changing!
— Dr. Mike Bagewll
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