Just to Get Him a Drink

¹³ During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁴ At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. ¹⁵ David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” ¹⁶ So the three mighty men 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 before the LORD. ¹⁷ “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.  Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.  2 Samuel 23:13-17

A few days ago, the Lord spoke to me through this story and began to stir some things up in my heart.  In this story, we read about King David, who had among his armies 30 mighty men, 3 of whom were the greatest of his warriors.  David, in a moment of weariness and longing, expresses his deep thirst.  As a King, he could have commanded, demanded, and forced any of his soldiers to do his bidding and fetch him what he desired.  Yet, all he did was sigh and wish aloud, perhaps not even thinking anyone was listening or expecting that anyone would respond. 

His request for a drink of water wasn’t as simple as it sounds – in fact, it was rather absurd and unreasonable!  He didn’t just want any drink of water – he wanted it from a special well near the gate of Bethlehem – perhaps a place where he had received a refreshing drink at another time when life was simpler and more peaceful.  Instead, he was now in a time of war and struggle with his enemies and this well was behind enemy lines.  It would be no easy task to retrieve this drink!

Yet, I have a feeling that these three mighty men loved David a great deal, and cared for their King and Commander.  I imagine that when they heard that he longed for this drink, all they wanted to do was to be able to fulfill his desire and answer his request to bring him the thing that would give him pleasure.  While they may have considered the cost it would require of them – their time, effort, even their lives - they wouldn’t let that keep them from immediately responding, without hesitation to his smallest wish. 

This is something that I long for in my life, that I would have that same love for my King and Commander, Jesus Christ.  I want to be one who leaps to answer the simplest or most seemingly impossibly large request that comes from His lips.  I want to be one who would do anything, go anywhere, give everything for the sake of bringing Him pleasure and responding to any desire of His heart.  I want to answer His request, without hesitation, no matter the cost to my time, my energy, my reputation, my bank account, or even my life. 

But the story doesn’t end there.  After the three mighty men retrieve this precious drink of water, risking their lives for it, David cannot even receive it from them and pours it out as an offering to God!  I don’t know what they were thinking in that moment – if they were in disbelief, shock, or anger – when it appeared that all of their effort was wasted and for nothing!  Yet, I have a feeling that when the Lord asks me to do something, at times it may very well appear to be just that.  What if He asks me to pray for a sick person and they don’t get better?  What if he asks me to give money to somebody who then squanders it?  What if he asks me to forgive someone who doesn’t appreciate it?  What if he asks me to open my home to someone, only to have them steal from me or take advantage of me?  What if he asks me to open my heart to someone, only to have them hurt me?  Is it all a waste??  Is it all for nothing???

I don’t think so, but even if it is, I still want to say “yes” to this Man, simply because I love Him.  Simply because He’s beautiful and wonderful and deserving of it.  Simply because He’s my King.  He’s worthy of wasting my life on Him!

I wish I was there, but I am so far from it!  Lord, help me to be like David’s mighty men!  Help me to be like the woman of valor that You are looking for! 

What about you?  Have you heard Him whisper a request lately?  Have you heard Him express His longings?  What will your response be?