“David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem. David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is next to the gate!” Then the three [mighty men] broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem which was next to the gate, and brought it to David. But David would not drink it; he poured it out to the Lord [as an offering]; and he said, “Far be it from me before my God that I would do this thing! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For they brought it at the risk of their lives.” So he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.”
1 Chronicles 11:16-19 AMP
When I served on staff as Pastor Olen’s assistant, one of the many things I did was help host events.
I’ll never forget one we hosted for church leaders. The event had many “big” names in attendance and on stage. These were pastors of pastors, “apostles”, and prophets, leaders in the evangelical movement. I suppose I had an expectation of what their character would be like; because I was close to Pastor Olen and knew him to be one of the kindest and most merciful men ever, I assumed these men and women would be too.
One afternoon in the middle of the conference, I had a revelation of sorts.
The speaker had finished, and I stood at the back of the sanctuary with a large, 55-gallon trash bag. I glanced around only to find that the sanctuary was a mess. I’d never seen it in such disarray. My heart ached. Water bottles, trash, and candy wrappers littered the floor. I began at one side of the sanctuary, filling the trash bag as I went until it grew heavier and heavier. At one point, someone stepped on me when I bent to gather crushed food from the carpet. Still others gave me a fleeting glance, resuming their conversations, unmoved, while I tried to gather the trash at their feet. The heavier the bag became, the heavier my heart felt. I felt invisible, exhausted, and unappreciated.
When the bag became so heavy and I couldn’t drag it any further, I was forced to stop. I stood slowly, stretching my back, and looked around to measure what was left when I saw someone approaching me with a rolled up piece of paper in hand. It’s the picture attached to today’s blog. They told me it was a gift and explained that the sacrifices I made throughout the week, invisible to most, were seen by the One that truly mattered and that every act of service was an offering to Him. She then bent down to start picking up papers from the floor.
Someone came and took the bag from me, and I realized the sanctuary was almost clean. It was that moment that a shift came in my spirit. In the sanctuary where I learned the sound of worship, I had a revelation that worship extended far beyond the music – our actions, service, and work were worship when done for Him.
When I first the account of David’s mighty men and the water, I was perplexed- if not slightly offended. Did David not appreciate what they sacrificed for him?
Then I read it again, remembered that day in the sanctuary, and I saw it – yes, David DID appreciate their sacrifice. In fact, David more than appreciated what they did – he revered it, and he saw it for what it was, an offering unto G-d. David saw their sacrifice as worship. He saw the water they brought to him as a blood sacrifice – costly and holy.
His mighty men, thinking to fulfill a longing in David’s heart, brought a gift that became an offering and sacrifice. Their work became worship.
Paul encouraged the New Testament church in Colossae:
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”
Colossians 3:23-24 AMP
Work becomes worship when I shift my perspective. When I begin to serve HIM everywhere He’s called me to go, in everything He’s entrusted into my hands, my work and my actions become worship. The sacrifice that costs me something, when done unto and for Him, is a precious, priceless, pleasing offering to Him.
I’m grateful for the seasons of sacrifice and growth and for the reminder that He sees me. Worship extends beyond the songs we sing. Worship is found in how we love our families, how we serve those whom we are called to – in the marketplace and the church, and how we love those around us. May we be found worshipping Him in and through all we do and say.
Father – thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your grace and truth. Thank You for the season You called me to serve Your people. Guide me in Your truth and show me how to serve those You’ve placed in my life. Help me to worship You in and through all You’ve entrusted to me. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12