2 Samuel 23:13–16 KJV 1900

And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, 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 Beth-lehem, 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.

BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS

Introduction:

The life of David was not without its faults, and there was one great shadow that hung over his career; and yet, as a whole, he was indeed the friend of God.

God found in him a willing channel through whom He might work.

The longing of David's heart

David was away from home. He was being oppressed by the enemy, and with a heart that was human he longed, and said, "Oh, that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

We wonder if we, as God's people, are listening to hear His voice?

We wonder if just the wish of our Lord's heart, would prove all the command that we would need to become active and eager to please Him?

David longed for the water from the well at Bethlehem.

The three men caught his sigh, heard his wish, and hurried on their way.

Obstacles cannot hinder our endeavors

Between David's camp and the drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, there was gathered a host of Philistines.

That host intervened and stood in the way. Do you remember how David himself wrote in the Spirit, "By Thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall"?

Shall we allow any wall, be it ever so high, be it ever so thick, to hinder us in the accomplishing of the will of God?

Photo of Lookout Mountain

Illustration:

Recently we stood on Lookout Mountain, over against Chattanooga. We walked to the crest of the mountain, looked down the slope, seemingly impossible of ascent. Yet on the monuments around us, was a description of how the soldiers climbed that mountain, and scaled its crest. Soldiers of Christ must not falter no matter how difficult the task.

2 Samuel 23:16 KJV 1900

And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, 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.

As David received it at their hands, he did not drink of it, but poured it out unto the Lord. To David it seemed to be the harbinger of victory.

He knew that what the three mighty men had done, his armies by faith and courage could also do.

Jesus commanded us to speak to our barriers of difficulties.

Mark 11:23 KJV 1900

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

2 Samuel 5:7 KJV 1900

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

2 Samuel 5:6 KJV 1900

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.