Chapter 5 A Peace Offering

Here is where we find the story of Abigail from the Old Testament. This is the chapter that really opened my eyes to what the atonement really means. It is very powerful. Abigail brought to David the things her husband should have given him, the things he needed and deserved. But in giving these items to him, she is also making it possible that David, himself, will not sin. He will not advance and kill her husband. She is stopping him from sinning, something that he would be punished for later. David recognizes this fact and thanks her for caring so much about him that she would sacrifice herself for him. He steps back, accepts what she is giving him, and thanks her for stopping his actions toward her family.

So many times that is what we need to do. Like David, we feel we deserve something better than we are getting, something more from others. And that is probably true. But we need to step back and stop our own sinning, stop ourselves from doing what is wrong. Someone else, like Abigail, has already paid the price we are demanding. Someone else came forward and paid what we demand, or deserve, from others. Abigail (Christ) paid what was demanded from Napal (those hurting us), so David (myself) would not sin any more. By accepting Christ's atonement, we see the price is paid and we do not need to "demand" any more payment. Turn it over to Christ because He has already paid the price. I don't need to ask for more.