Water, Words and Blood (April 28)

David longed for water and said, "Oh that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem."
                         2 Samuel 23:13-17 NIV

Think of water, words, and blood. 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2 NIV) 

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." (John 4:10 NIV)

This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am Lord: with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the Nile and it will be turned to blood. (Exodus 7:17 NIV) 

Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:34 NIV)

Here in 2 Samuel 23, we learn of David's desire of water from the well near Bethlehem.  He voices this desire in the stronghold, perhaps Masada, near the southern end of the Dead Sea, located probably 50 miles more or less away.  The three mighty men who broke through the Philistine lines put their lives, blood, at risk to get the water.  As a result of that risk, David pours the water as a drink offering before the Lord.

Consider David's leadership role and his words, perhaps foolish words, voicing his desire for water from Bethlehem.  The events perhaps taught David to be careful what he says, for lives were put in harms way in response to his spoken desire.

The mixture of blood and water mentioned here was used elsewhere in scripture.  Think of that mixture being used as a part of God's plan to release the Hebrew from Egyptian bondage.

The mixture of Bethlehem, blood, and water lead me to consider Jesus' birthplace and of what He gave up completing God's plan to release us from our bondage to sin.

How do you put thought into your words as a leader, to avoid foolish words, knowing that they could put someone into harm's way?

How do you put thought into your words as a parent or leader of childern, knowing that foolish words can crush a tender spirit?

How do you show thanksgiving for what the Lord has done to fulfill God's plan to release us from our bondage to sin?

Pray for the Spirit to lead you to speak words that give Him glory and sow seeds that will yield fruits of the Spirit.

In Christ,

David P