Read 1 Chronicles 11
Highlights:
David made king over Judah; all of Israel anoints David king; he reigns in Jebus (Jerusalem)
And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD (1 Chr. 11:18).
The armies of Israel had been fighting the Philistines off and on for a very long time. The Philistines had besieged Bethlehem preventing David and his army from entering the city. It would seem they might have been there a while and had been overcome with thirst.
Three of the thirty captains had come down to talk to David. They heard their king as he longed for the water of the well of Bethlehem. They showed great courage and broke through the ranks of the Philistines to bring David this cup of water he desired.
In reading the end of this verse, David may have seemed ungrateful for the act of these three captains. The exact opposite was true. He had great respect for their sacrifice as they endangered their lives to bring him this water. There was no way he could simply drink this water to quench his thirst. Instead, he brought honor to what they had done by pouring it out as a drink offering a sacrifice before the Lord. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour
There may be many that we know or have heard of who have given of themselves in sacrifice. We wonder at times how can something so great be repaid. Praying for these special individuals may seem like something so small, but it is not. We can pray that God will bless them to be able to be of even greater service. Prayer definitely empowers. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matt. 21:22).
Of course, there are often other ways to bless those who are doing good works for the kingdom of God. You can always volunteer your time. Most ministries can always use some kind of assistance in this way. It may be in preparation or as part of the actual functions of their outreach. Ministries are often totally dependent upon God drawing people with a desire to grow His Kingdom to serve in many different ways. The important thing is to obey God's calling so we can fulfill the Great Commission together.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).
Thought for Today:
It is not the number of talents that matters, but how faithful we are with what we have been given that matters to God.
Christ Portrayed:
By David, the anointed king (1 Chr. 11:3). Christ is the Anointed One who will soon reign forever as KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:16).
Word Studies:
11:16 hold, stronghold; 12:1 close, restricted in his movements; in hiding; 12:17 knit, joined, united; 12:19 fell . . . to David, shifted allegiance to David.
Prayer Suggestion: Have faith that God always keeps His promises (Gen. 17:16 & 21:2-3).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:29
