A cool drink of water for the parched

As I have previously stated, one of my favorite stories of the Bible is the story of David. I have always enjoyed the study of the great leaders of history and I do not grow weary in studying the lessons to be learned of David's Godly example of leadership. Even though David lived 3,000 years ago, the lessons of leadership gleaned from the study of David are every bit as relevant in our time. We have all heard the refrain from many in this day and age who profess that the classic writings of our history are outdated. The 2 greatest writings that established this country, the Bible and the US Constitution, are the 2 writings most under attack by those who profess to be more enlightened then us common folk who understand the importance of building our lives upon a firm foundation.

We know David as a king and as a leader of the nation of Israel that was willing to take a stand in the name of God. In order to become the king, David had to surround himself with those who were ready and willing to follow his lead. The story of David leads us through his time of struggles and his times in which he stood victorious.

Through his leadership, David was able to build an effective force that took their stand and defended what they knew to be true. The force that David built had some of the greatest victories in the Old Testament historical account. We may think of this Army that fought as being built with the best of the best that Israel had to offer. Let’s look at who David originally had to build this Army.

1 Samuel 22:1-2. We learn hear that David began to build those around him; they were far from the best of the best. Those that gravitated towards David brought with them their baggage. David accepted those who came and accepted them just as they were. They sought to follow a man who in the eyes of the ruling authorities was considered an outlaw. David found himself on the run from an oppressive ruler.

The metaphorical imagery of soldiers and an Army are intertwined in Paul’s writings. I am certain that the reasons for this are the early Christian’s daily had to come face to face with the Roman Army and the Old Testament accounts of Israel and the battles they had to face

*True leadership: You build your team with what you have. You develop a vision and direction you want to move your team and understand that God has placed these people in your life for a reason.

David was able to build his Army into an effective force in the name of God. He recognized who gave him his authority to lead. We know David as a man who was after the heart of God. David laid a firm foundation for his leadership and he was able to win the hearts of those who chose to follow him.

*True leadership: A true leader has followers of choice who follow as they are inspired by their vision and are willing to go where the leader takes them.

2 Samuel 23:8-17. We hear of the story of David’s Mighty Men is also paralleled in 1Chronicles 11. In total, 53 warriors were recognized as David’s Mighty Men. On a side note, one of my most awe inspiring days of my life was the day that I spent at Normandy American Cemetery. As you walk the grounds of the cemetery, there are 9,387crosses and stars of David that are the headstones for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and an addition 1,557 names inscribed on walls as their remains were never recovered. There are also 9 headstones whose headstones are inscribed that they received the Medal of Honor for their valor displayed in battle. I believe that the 53 mighty men displayed this same type of valor when they stood in battle.

Of the 53 mighty men, there were 3 whose exploits set them apart. These 3 men were skilled in the warfare of their day. They displayed the hearts of true warriors. The heart of a true warrior fully knows and understands his mission and the battle that lies ahead. A true warrior prepares himself to fulfill their mission regardless of what the consequences may bring.

Shammah took his stand in the face of the enemy while those around him fled. How often do we in the American Church take our stand in the face of the enemy that seeks to destroy our foundation? Christ in Revelation 3:15-16 calls out the “lukewarm church” and claims that He will “spit” it out.
Eleazar took his stand and fought the Philistines till his hand froze to the sword. One of the things big a difference between man and animal is we have thumbs. Without his thumb, Eleazar’s hand would have been able to freeze to the sword. Back in this day, if you captured an enemy on the battlefield and wanted to make him a slave, you would have to remove his big toes so he could not run and you would have to remove his thumbs so that he could never again grasp a sword.

Ephesians 6:17. I contend that if we are to not become that lukewarm Christian, we must cling so hard to the word of God that our hand is frozen upon it. Satan wants nothing more then to remove our thumbs. He knows that as long as we don’t cling hard to what we read, we will never take our stand.

David had a desire for the water from well of Bethlehem. He longed for this water the water from this well was viewed as “Living Water”. To a Jew, the idea of living water means that this water is what has come from God. Rain, runoff of rain or any water that was active was viewed as living water. When one entered the temple, they were to cleanse themselves with “living water”. They would wash their head, their heart, their hands and their feet to show that in their head was the thought of God, their heart was filled with God and their hands and feet were being prepared to do the work of God.

David was humbled by the act of these 3 mighty men. These men were ready and prepared to risk both life and limb to serve their king. David realized that he was not worthy to drink of this water and he poured it out as a sacrifice before God.

Romans 12:1. Each of us has been called to be that living sacrifice.

As David poured this living water out before God, he humbled himself for the sacrifice that his men had made.

*True leadership: A true Godly leader will exercise humility and be willing to sacrifice their personal well being for those they have been entrusted to lead.

The Jews celebrated living water during the Festival of the Booths. This festival celebrated the Israelites wandering in the desert after leaving their bondage of Egypt. In Leviticus 23, the Israelites are told to wave palm branches during the sacrifice ceremony as part of a wave offering. During this week long festival, each day involved a water sacrifice. The festival occurred at a time of the year just before the rain was to come. The people during the water sacrifice ceremony would wave palm branches and cry out “Hosanna” or “God save us.” God save us from disease or save us from our imperfections but also God save us by bringing us living water. The sound made by waving palm branches was similar to that of rain. The last day of the Festival of the Booths, the water sacrifice was known as the Great Hosanna.

John 7:37-38. On the final day of the Festival of the Booths of this year, Jesus stood in the temple courts and made the proclamation that “I am living water” during this ceremony. Now, consider that you were a Jew 2,000 years ago. You followed the ways of Jew as you entered the temple using the living water to cleanse you head, your heart, your hands and your feet. You saw Jesus make this profession and began to follow Him. You saw Him crucified and realized that the wounds that He received were to His head, His heart, His hands and His feet. You realize that Jesus was indeed that living water. We too can become that living water. Christ wants nothing more then for us to be a flowing river of cool and refreshing water to those who are parched. Have we prepared ourselves in all seasons to be that cool refreshing drink of living water to all? Do our actions and our words reflect the living water of God that flows from the river of life that Christ has called each of His followers to be? Christ wants us to be His leaders and bring those who thirst for His spirit into His presence.