September 28, 2022

So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 2 Samuel 23:16

David had longed for a drink of water from a certain well at Bethlehem at a time when the Philistines had a garrison there. In our day, just as in David’s, there seem to be enemy garrisons between me and blessings that I long for. When a blessing does come, my common sense tells me to take it for myself. But in the divine economy that is ordained of God, it is always best to give it back to Him. In teaching us to be generous, He is actually protecting us from unseen corruptive influences.

While there may be others who see David’s poured-out water as utter wastefulness, just as those who were indignant among themselves when the woman poured costly fragrant oil on Jesus’ head (Mark 14:4), the Holy Spirit’s leading is invariably in keeping with the kingdom agenda: sanctification of the saints of God that others may see Him in them.  

Oswald Chambers wrote: “If you have become bitter and sour, it is because when God gave you a blessing you hoarded it. Yet if you had poured it out to Him, you would have been the sweetest person on earth. If you are always keeping blessings to yourself and never learning to pour out anything to the LORD, other people will never have their vision of God expanded through you.”

We are the Lord’s personal invitation to others. Our proper stewardship of the blessings He has given is a shield against negative character traits that hurt the Lord and push others away from Him.

“Test Me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10b (NIV)

David knew for himself the Source of living water: it is He Who desires to pour refreshment to the world through His followers!

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38