Ever wish God would throw you a bone?

Wouldn’t it be nice if things would just easily fall in place and you didn’t have to “struggle” so much to make progress, spiritual or otherwise? A little break here and there could make all the difference in an otherwise tough day.

I was reading about “The Three,” three of the bravest, most fierce warriors in King David’s army. In particular I came across this:

Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty-an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three. -2 Samuel 23:13-17

Do you suppose that Jashobeam the Hacmonite, Eleazar son of Dodai or Shammah son of Agee from Harar — The Three– might have wanted to wring David’s neck?

They’d gone out of their way, and risked their lives, to fulfill a desire of their commander and what did he do? He poured out the water they’d fought like madmen to retrive for him… poured it out! Do you suppose they might have said “Com’ on boss, at least take a sip!” Pardon the pun, but do you think that David might have thrown water of the fire of their enthusiasm to serve him?

I know I get this way with God. “Look at how hard I’m trying. Look at all I’m doing. Don’t you know I’m doing this for YOU? Com’ on God, throw me a bone… just this once!”

Note that David took an oath and poured the water out as an “offering to the Lord.” He performed a spiritual ceremony of the highest level! He was literally stating: “This gift is so valuable and given with such love and loyalty that I do not deserve it… it is so holy that only the Living Lord is worthy to receive it.” Those men were so loved and important to him that he gave them the highest honor possible for their exploits.

Might it be that God is doing the very same thing with me? Might it be that he is stating that he loves me and honors me so much that he wants me to be the best I can be and will not dishonor me by letting me get off with less than my best?

Maybe he IS throwing me a bone…