Longing for That Good Water   

Read: 1 Chronicles 11:15-19 NLT – Once when David was at the rock near – Bible Gateway

“David remarked longingly to his men, ‘Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.’” 1 Chronicles 11:17 NLT

As I write this, our neighborhood is without water due to a water main break. According to reports it may be a while until water is restored to the area. We live in a world where so much is taken for granted, it takes shutting off the water to make us realize how blessed we are. A day or two of inconvenience may set us all straight remembering to thank the Lord for His daily supply of our needs.

Yes, water is essential for our very survival. Clean, purified water is critical for health reasons. Officials in our region are informing residents and businesses of a boil advisory that will be put into effect after the water is restored to avoid any health risks. Good clean water is needed for a healthy life, and it tastes better.

King David had a longing for the cool clean water from the depths of the well at Bethlehem’s gate. David and his army were held up outside of Bethlehem during the war with the Philistines, who now occupied the city. Perhaps their rations were running low and the water from the water skins were beginning to taste like the water skins. David remarked, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” (1 Chr.11:17 nlt) David had an elite group of thirty mighty men in which three were the elite of the elite. These three men risked their lives breaking through enemy lines to grant David’s request.

We don’t have any indication that David’s longing was nothing more than a longing. He didn’t expect his men to act, but they did. David’s response was to pour it out as a sacrifice to Lord as his men risked their lives to gather it, saying, “This water is as precious as the blood of these men.” (1 Chr.11:19 nlt) David got what he longed for. It was so precious to him, and he gave it to the Lord.

Some of the things we long for may not be as important as we think. Most of the things we take for granted may be more important than we think, like turning on the faucet for water. May we thank the Lord for His daily provisions even when they are interrupted for a day or two.