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Daily Devotionals
Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time
Devotional: October 20th

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“And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!” ( 1 Chronicles 11:17)

Bethlehem was David’s home town. He knew all its streets and lanes, the market place, and the community well. But now the Philistines had a garrison in Bethlehem and David was holed up in the Cave of Adullam. When three of his men heard David yearn for a drink of water from the well at Bethlehem, they broke through the enemy lines and brought the water to him. He was so moved by this courageous act of love and devotion that he could not drink the water, but rather poured it out as a libation to the Lord.

We may think of David here as a picture of the Lord Jesus. Just as Bethlehem was David’s place, so the entire “earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.” David should have been on the throne but instead he was in the Cave. Similarly our Lord should be enthroned by the world but instead He is rejected and disowned. We can liken David’s longing for water to the Savior’s thirst for the souls of men all over the world. He longs to be refreshed by seeing His creatures saved from sin, self and the world. David’s three courageous men picture those intrepid soldiers of Christ who throw aside considerations of personal comfort, convenience and safety in order to fulfill the desire of their Commander-in-chief. They carry the good news to all the world, then offer their converts to the Lord as a sacrifice of love and devotion. David’s emotional reaction suggests the Savior’s response when He sees His sheep crowding to Him from every tribe and nation. He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied.

In David’s case, he didn’t have to command, coax or cajole his men. The slightest hint was all they needed; they welcomed it as an order from their commander.

What then shall we do when we know the longing of the heart of Christ for those whom He purchased with His precious blood? Must we have high pressure missionary appeals and altar calls? Is it not enough to hear Him ask, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Shall it be said of us that we are unwilling to do for our Commander what David’s men were willing to do for him? Or shall we say to Him, “Your slightest longing is my command”?

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