Elite Humility

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Elite Humility by Kirk Hunt

 

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.

2 Samuel 23:16 KJV

 

The courage, daring and skill of the three mighty men is clear.  Their devotion to David cannot be questioned.  Still, what to do with their extravagant gift is a quandary.

 

David sacrificed the canteen before God.  Drink offerings were a regular part of the Mosaic Law.  As far as David was concerned, that canteen held fluid more precious than anything the Law required.

 

David’s choice demonstrated something more: David’s humility.  He was humbled by their devotion.  He was humbled by the risks they took.

 

David responded with grateful worship to God, who had sent these champions.  He also responded with self-denial.  He refused to drink the water, as a gift too precious for common use.

 

Only a humble man (or woman) would see past the excitement of the moment.  David’s humility demanded that their gift be consumed by some One worthy.  David demonstrated his character, strength and wisdom by refusing what he wanted so badly.

 

Humility is a sober and measured opinion of your own value.  The bigger you are in God’s Kingdom, the more important your grip on your self-valuation.  David understood the need for humility, and lived it out.  Can you say the same?

 

Think:            Humility is a strength, and grace, for God’s people.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to live and serve your Kingdom in humility.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Adullam’s Champions

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Adullam’s Champions by Kirk Hunt

 

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:

2 Samuel 23:15–16 KJV

Please also read 2 Samuel 23:8–17

 

Adino, Eleazar and Shammah.  The elite three among David’s forces.  The kind of men to go deep behind enemy lines to get a canteen of water.

 

These are not the same men recruited at Adullam.  They are no longer deadbeats, losers or whiners.  David’s moment of nostalgia and homesickness becomes a chance to display their strength.  And encourage the heart and spirit of their chosen leader.

 

Did these men spring out of the earth, champions?  Scripture does not record that scene.  Instead, Scripture records their act of selflessness and encouragement.

 

God intends for you to become a champion.  Where you start is less important than following His plan for your life.  Your service in His Kingdom is the primary tool to change you.  For the better.

 

Perhaps you already are a champion.  Have you engaged in a heroic effort, just to encourage someone?  Only a champion would unobtrusively schedule a perilous victory for someone else’s benefit.

 

God’s Kingdom is full of opportunities, big and small.  To encourage, bless and build up others in Christ.  His intends for you to be a champion.  Go do your faith hero stuff.

 

Think:            Men and women are made champions in God’s service.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to become the champion You intend.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Adullam’s Recruits

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Adullam’s Recruits by Kirk Hunt

 

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

I Samuel 22:2 KJV

 

David fled to the cave of Adullam, hunted and hated by King Saul.  There, alone and in need of support, David received his recruits.  Oh, joy.

 

There were not the best and the brightest.  They were not even the middling and muted.  The cast-offs of society made their way to David.  Oh, boy.

 

Scripture says they were in distress, or in debt or discontented.  I call them the losers, the deadbeats and the whiners.  Not the usual starting blocks of an elite fighting unit.  Oh, man.

 

Thankfully, the sentence does not end there.  At least they brought themselves.  That hints that they were willing to invest themselves in something.  By coming to and staying at Adullam, they changed.  Oh, well.

 

Davis became their captain.  Clearly, these undesirable men were willing to accept leadership.  Often, a teachable heart alone can help a man advance from where ever he started.  Oh, great.

 

Adullam’s recruits represent the men and women who come to support you in your calling.  They are unfinished and often undesirable, but with God’s help they can become champions.  Oh, okay.

 

Think:            Men and women finish champions in God’s service, no matter how they start.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see Your finished work in my brothers and sisters.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

He Thinks Of You

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He Thinks Of You by Kirk Hunt

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

(Please read Jeremiah 29:1-7)

 

The leadership of Judah and Jerusalem trudged along in the chains of their Babylonian captors.  The march to the capitol of Babylon had only just started.  Behind them, Jerusalem still burned.  Before them, Judah’s towns and farms lay in smoking ruins.

 

At the first rest stop, a whisper ran like wildfire among the captives.  “Jeremiah has a prophesy for God’s People.”  With desperate attention, they listened to every word of the prophet they previously persecuted.

 

Despite the justice and judgment He had allowed to come against them, God’s People were never out of His eye or heart.  His mercy had protected them from paying the full price of their sins.  Already, plans were in motion to return Judah and Israel to Canaan and self-rule.  Even those who would not live to return, could live out their lives in peace and prosperity.

 

Consider the plan God has for your life.  No matter what has happened before, He intends to bless you, yours and others through your life.  You have never been out of His eye or heart.

 

His mercy continues to shield you.  His grace advances you.  His peace blesses you.

 

Wherever you are, good times or bad, God has enacted His Plan for you.  Choose to see the end He wants for you.  Deliberately live the life God intends for you.

 

Think:            God has plans for me.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see and follow Your plan for me.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.