There are two lessons to draw from our meditation today. The first is about leadership. The higher one climbs in life, particularly as a leader, the more caution is to be exercised. David had casually expressed a desire for the water of the well of Bethlehem. At that time, a garrison of the Philistines was at the place where the well was. A garrison is a fortified place and guarded by soldiers. To get water from such place was like a suicide mission. How did David’s men respond to a mere wish? They broke through the camp and fetched water from the well. Even though David did not order anyone to go for that mission, some of his men had literally converted the wish of their general to a command. They took their life in their hand to satisfy their boss. When you get to a point in life where people attach importance to every word you speak, caution is needed.
When you get to a point in life where people attach importance to every word you speak, caution is needed.
The second lesson has to do with what it means to be effective as soldiers. David’s men did not care about their personal safety; what mattered to them was the satisfaction of their general. In his letter to Timothy, Paul employed different metaphors to describe who Christians are. He called us farmer, athletes, and soldiers – in reverse order. He went on to state that a soldier removes himself from every encumbrance in order to please his commander. As Christians, our goal should be to please Christ who is our Captain. Even if this puts us in harm’s way, the cause of Christ must be pursued.
