Abused Women

Abigail was married to an angry man. Nabal was a mean, selfish, stingy husband. He refused to feed King David’s army after they had protected and saved his farm and property from their enemies. Abigail honored God and the king by doing the right thing and taking them food. She said something like this to King David, “I know that you are fighting battles for the Lord so I have brought food for you and your army.” She told her husband later, and he got so mad he had a heart attack and died. Knowing Nabal’s character, I don’t believe Abigail was exempt from his anger. (Her story, 1 Samuel 25.)

Abuse is physical or verbal mistreatment. It happens all around us. It happens to church members. It happens to pastors wives. I have personally known some of each.

There are many reasons a woman puts up with abuse. Nevertheless, the abused woman is fearful (and for good reason), she may feel trapped and powerless, and she may not know how to change her situation. The Lord showed me verses in Psalms a few years ago to help abused women, and I see a need to share them with others. First let’s look at Psalm 140:1, “Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man.” Do you think it is God’s will that a woman stays with an evil or violent man? Not according to His Word.

Look at Psalms 107:6,14. Verse 6 tells how God’s people cried out to Him, “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 108:6 says, “That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.” The abused woman must first realize that she needs help. Then she must cry out to the One who can help her. These verses declare that God can and will help, along with Psalm 109:31, “For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.” God is not in favor of abuse, and He urges women to seek His help and deliverance from it. Then when He opens the door, take it!

Verse 107:14 says, He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” The abused woman may feel her life is a prison. God can open prison doors. Psalm 109:21,22 say, “But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.” The abused woman probably feels that if she leaves she will be poor and needy. This verse tells us that God will take care of her and her children. Is her heart wounded? Psalm 107:9 says, “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” He will heal her wounded heart once she learns to lean on God and trust Him to help her, and He will provide her needs.

Abigail didn’t have all the resources we have now for abused women, but the Lord took care of her needs. After her husband died, she became King David’s wife. He took care of her very well. Abigail did God’s will and did what was right. Ladies seek to do God’s will for yourself and for your children.