SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. [1 Chronicles 11:17-19]
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15:12-13]
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. [Mark 14:23-24]
This story about David, his three mighty men and the water from Bethlehem is a great picture of what Jesus describes as ‘no greater love.’
They risked their own lives to get David the drink of water; they could have died, for just a drink of water!!!
Yet this is how loyal they were to David, how much they loved him.
Jesus demonstrates this ‘no greater love’ by actually giving His life, not just risking it.
David pours out the water for God – this was not a waste or a rejection of what his men did; he was honouring his men by honouring God with their precious gift.
Jesus pours out His blood for us and for God, to bring us back to God.
He takes our death penalty for us, He absorbs the justice required for human rebellion, so that we could be spared.
He removes every barrier between us and God, so that we can return to God.
David honoured his men by dedicating the gift to God; we honour Jesus by dedicating our lives to God.
The real waste is when we do not gladly receive Jesus’ sacrifice, and take the path back to God that He has opened for us.
If we do not accept His great sacrifice, to that extent His death was in vain – wasted – for us.
Me genoito!!!!!!!!!! (look it up on Google)
PRAYER:
Lord, me genoito! May I honour the blood sacrifice You made for me!
The people were unified. They wanted David and saw that the Lord’s hand was upon David to lead His people. And David was anointed as was promised. He was walking with His God. And because of his walk with God he became more powerful. And the Lord God brought the victory. And he was surrounded by mighty men who would risk their lives for him. Yet in all, David brought all before the Lord.
As David and his men served the Lord, so I too need to serve Him. As David was surrounded by men who helped achieve the goal, so I too need to surround myself with Godly people so we may achieve our goal of service. These men described in this passage were mighty warriors for the Lord. I too need to stand up for Jesus each and every day serving Him in all I do and say.
Help me in my ‘pilgrim’s progress.’
Lead on, O King eternal,
The day of march has come;
Henceforth in fields of conquest
Thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
Thy grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.