October 27, 2020 8:00 pm
The picture made me laugh out loud. Crowds had lined a Mexican avenue, waving flags and throwing confetti as they waited for the pope. Down the middle of the street strolled a stray puppy, appearing to grin as if the cheering was entirely for him. Yes! Every dog should have its day, and it should look like this.
It’s cute when a puppy “steals the show,” but hijacking another’s praise can destroy us. David knew this, and he refused to drink the water his mighty warriors had risked their lives to get. He had wistfully said it would be great if someone would fetch a drink from the well in Bethlehem. Three of his soldiers took him literally. They broke through enemy lines, drew the water, and carried it back. David was overwhelmed by their devotion, and he had to pass it on. He refused to drink the water, but “poured it out before the Lord” as a drink offering (v. 16).
How we respond to praise and honor says a lot about us. When praise is directed toward others, especially God, stay out of the way. The parade is not for us. When the honor is directed toward us, thank the person and then amplify that praise by giving all the glory to Jesus. The “water” is not for us either. Give thanks, then pour it out before the Lord.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading was written by Mike Whitmer, and it's titled, Who's It For? The picture made me laugh out loud.
Crowds had lined a Mexican avenue waving flags and throwing confetti as they waited for the Pope. Down the middle of the street strolled a stray puppy, appearing to grin as if the cheering was entirely over. Yes, every dog should have its day, and it should look like this.
It's cute when a puppy steals the show, but hijacking another's praise can destroy us. In 2 Samuel chapter 23, David knew this, and he refused to drink the water his mighty warriors had risked their lives to get. It wistfully said it would be great if someone would fetch a drink from the well in Bethlehem. Three of his soldiers took him literally.
They broke through every hole in the well. Their enemy lines drew the water and carried it back. David was overwhelmed by their devotion, and he had to pass it on. He refused to drink the water, but poured it out before the Lord as a drink offering. How we respond to praise and honor says a lot about us. We thank the person and then amplify that praise by giving all the glory to Jesus.
The water isn't for us either. Give thanks, then pour it out before God. David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem.
So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem, and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink the water. Instead, he poured it out before the Lord. Far be it from me, Lord, to do this, he said. Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?
And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors. Let's pray. Dear God, when we receive praise for something we've done, help us not to steal the show, but redirect the honor to You. Whatever we accomplish in life is only done as You equip us to do it. Thank You for the unique way You have gifted each of us, Lord. May we always use these gifts for Your honor and glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-02-01 05:30:57 / 2024-02-01 05:32:21 / 1
