Monday, August 22, 2022

Orange Moon Monday, August 22, 2022 "The Water of Bethlehem"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "The Water of Bethlehem"


   "And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men 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.  Nevertheless, he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord."  And he said, Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?  Therefore, he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. (II Samuel 23:14-17).

   Was David right or wrong in his refusal to drink the long-for "water of the well of Bethlehem," obtained by the great sacrifice not of one as he desired, but of three?  I am not aware that Scripture offers a critique, either approving or disapproving, in the matter.  I, therefore, will not offer an opinion either way, but rather share a thought that always occurs when reading the passage.  Namely, we must partake as fully and freely as possible of "the water of life" purchased for us by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary (Revelation 21:6).

   "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink" (John 7:37).

   An ever-springing well of life gushes forth from the throne of grace, made possible by the blood that flowed on the cross of Calvary.  At the highest cost to Himself, the Lord Jesus purchased supply for every need of spirit, soul, and body, or circumstance, condition, or situation, we will ever know.  He is both "the water of the well of Bethlehem," and the One who jeopardized and sacrificed his life to obtain it.  Meaning no criticism of David for his actions, we must nevertheless be sure we do not follow his example in pouring out that which was obtained by so high a cost.  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

    Unbelief casts the water of life onto the ground, as it were, rather than drinking deeply of its holy sustenance and supply.  "And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58).  I awoke this morning, tempted to fear and uncertainty by a matter of concern.  Having pondered yesterday the response of David we presently consider with my wife Frances, the thought occurred to me, "The Water of life, obtained at the highest cost by my Lord, awaits my partaking to provide peace and God's promised "grace to help in time of need.  Will I drink, or will I pour?"  

   By God's grace, I chose to drink.  Peace came to my heart, as provided by the Prince of peace, and also the assurance of His working in the matter that challenged my heart and mind.  Again, I sincerely make no judgment of David's actions long ago.  I do know, however, our calling to drink freely of the waters of the Lord who came forth from Bethlehem, and to honor Him thereby.  He sacrificed too much for us not to partake of His promised peace and working in all things in our lives.  The living Water awaits us in all things.  May we drink fully, freely, and as deeply as possible of its costly and precious sustenance.  As the hymnwriter beautifully expressed, "Gushing from the Rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!"  Yes, a spring of joy, made possible by agonies of sacrifice beyond any measure we will ever known, calls us to drink and not to pour.

"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
(John 4:14).

Weekly Memory Verse
  Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
(John 4:14).

   


  































   

   


   



  











































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