February 28, 2025
Dear Friends,
This Sunday we will continue our sermon series on the story of David as found in 1 Samuel 25. David has spent some time in the Judean wilderness making a life for himself and his followers. He has established good relationships with those who also inhabit this region, offering protection and security to his neighbours, some of whom raise livestock for a living. Nabal (whose name means “fool”) is one of the wealthy owners who have benefited from David’s presence and protection. Yet when David’s men make a modest request to join Nabal on a feast day Nabal refuses. In fact he insults those who have made this request “Who is this David?…The Son of Jesse?” This news get back to David who loses his temper and commands his men to “strap on your swords”. He is out for revenge. Remember this is the same David who showed mercy to King Saul not once but twice before. Yet now his temper causes him to almost make a rash decision that he would regret. I say “almost” because there is another character who enters the story. Abigail, Nabal’s wife. She realizes her husbands folly and stupidity and before David can do any damage to Nabal and his all of his household, Abigail wisely intervenes. In humility she goes to meet David, falls at his feet and offers an extravagant gift, but something more. Wisdom. Abigail reminds David who he is. Yes the son of Jessie but even more the anointed future King of Israel. David is moved. He is repentant and recognizes the great wisdom and courage it took for Abigail to do what she did, in order to save him from acting rashly, slaughtering the innocent because of the foolish stupidity of her husband. David’s name means “beloved”. We are not David the Son of Jesse. Yet perhaps this passage challenges us a Christians and who claim Christ’s name to live up to our calling as the “beloved” children of God in word and deed. Do others see a Christlikeness about us? Do we “remember” who we are in the various circumstances of life? We are grateful for the Abigail’s in our lives who wisely remind us to think and act with self-control, trusting God, even when others might drag our name through the mud. So please join me on Sunday as we explore this story in a message called “The Fool, The Wise and the Beloved”.
After the service on Sunday, we will have our Glenbrook AGM luncheon and meeting. Sandwiches and dessert will be provided. It will also be an opportunity to recognize and give thanks to God for the provision of 2024 and to look forward to the ministry and mission of Glenbrook into 2025. Thank you to Andrea for providing both digital and written reports.
This Tuesday @ 7:30 will also be our EMCC Campus AGM. We are once again grateful to God for the work of the Campus Board. Brian Alexander, David Winn, Det Braunshweiger and Elayne Thompson will represent Glenbrook. We thank them for their faithful work. If there are those from the congregation who wish to attend they are welcome to do so.
Rev. Julia Moses and Glenda Lewis on behalf of the BME congregation sent me a lovely e-mail extending their thanks to Glenbrook for the uplifting service and message for the celebration of Black History month. I pass this on to the congregation for your information and to continue to pray for our church partners.
Take care and be kind to each other!
Pastor Ian
