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To drink or not to drink...
One of the accounts of David that has always fascinated me is when his hometown was in the grips of the enemy.
1 Chronicles 11:14 They (David and his men) took their stand in the midst of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the Lord saved them by a great victory. Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. (David's hometown)
David as a man of God, was clearly feeling the pressure of his situation, awaiting the time in which God had in mind for him to take the throne he was anointed for by Samuel.
While in the heat of this battle David has a moment which he says aloud how much he wanted to taste again of the water of the well of his hometown Bethlehem.
1 Chronicles 11:16 David had a craving and said, "Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"
Three of his most loyal mighty men determined in their hearts, despite the risk to themselves, to fulfill the will of their leader David.
1 Chronicles 11:16 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David...
What an amazing show of love and loyalty these three men displayed to their leader! But what David did next must have left them bewildered!
1 Chronicles 11:16 ...nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord...
What? Why would he do that. These men risk there lives to bring this to him. They showed their loyalty to him by doing so! Should they be offended? Should they walk away from a man who seems not to be appreciative. When we do understand the actions of our master... what is our reaction!!!
David explains his reasons for his actions to them by saying...
1 Chronicles 11:19 ...and he said, "Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it." Therefore he would not drink it.
In reality David felt inferior to the actions of his men and refused to partake of his selfish desire, but rather poured it out to the Lord as a drink offering for keeping his men safe from death. They gave their lives to try to please their master and David, who was always thinking of his God, knew he was not the one who kept them safe, but the Almighty God did!
As I ponder the humility of such a leader I can't help but think of the words of the apostle Paul about us and our leader Jesus our Christ!
Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Despite all that we may do... whether good or bad... the glory still belongs to God and Jesus Christ our Lord! It is He who saves... it is He who gives life... It is He!!!
Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
No matter what my risk... no matter what my loyalty... no matter what my accomplishments... without Him I am lost! It is His blood which saves me... by the will of our Father who loves us enough to provide the water of life for us!
Would we take the credit and drink the drink ourselves? Or will we, even when others do not understand, pour out ourselves to the Lord who deserves all the credit... all the glory! Forgive me Lord for my sins!!!
- To_Drink_or_Not_To_Drink.pdf (12.44 kB)
