1 Chronicles Chapter 11: Verses 15-19 (NIV)
Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord.“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.
David had mighty warriors who had sworn their support of the king to further his leadership under God as the Lord had promised. And they honoured their promise by serving him wholeheartedly. Whilst fighting the philistines on one campaign, David spoke of his hankering for water from the well at his own home. From his response that we read later; I don’t think for a minute that he was expecting any of the men to put their lives at risk to give him what he longed for. But such was their commitment to serve the king that three of those mighty men broke through enemy lines and brought him the water. But David wouldn’t drink it. He recognised the commitment of these men and gave glory to God for that commitment and for their lives. He gave back to God what they had brought to him.
That got me thinking. Am I wholehearted, even in living my daily life to the extent that God would get the glory for it. Whatever we do we should be doing it as if we are doing it for God. And if we do, then God will get all the glory for it, because hopefully people will see and sense God’s Spirit working through us. This story is a reminder to me that doing anything in a slap dash or half-hearted way is not what God expects from His servants. After all Jesus gave His all on my behalf.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the example of wholehearted commitment and service from these men. Help me to follow their example so that You might be glorified in my life. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.