Friday, November 11, 2005
1 Chronicles 11:15-19 . . . a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time 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 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 it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. "God forbid that I should do this!" he said. "Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?" Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.
11/11/1918
It happened during those days when young David and his men were being pursued by Israel's Philistine foes -- and by Saul, Israel's crazed and unfaithful king. David's hometown of Bethlehem was taken by Philistine forces. David and his men surrounded the village to liberate its people. The siege wore on.
David remarked how thirsty he had grown and how good the water was from Bethlehem's enemy-held well. Upon hearing this three of David's men broke through enemy lines, drew water from that well and made a perilous dash back with a drink for their commander. David refused to drink it. He said that because of the risk taken the water was too valuable to drink. Instead, he poured it out as a thanksgiving-offering to God.
Word War I hostilities ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In 1926 Congress named November 11th "Armistice Day". President Eisenhower proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day in 1954 with these words: ". . . let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom."
On this Veteran's Day let us also remember the value of the freedoms we have through lives put at risk and given up for our sakes. Let us remember and give thanks to God.
