INTRODUCTION

David was loyal and his loyalty was certainly infectious. Throughout his life, he had those who attempted great feats in order to assist or protect him. Others wanted to simply be a blessing to him. First Chronicles chapter 11 provides insight into such events. One of these examples involved David’s three mighty men performing a life threatening effort simply because David thirsted for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem (1 Chronicles 11:15-19 [15] Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. [16] And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem. [17] And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! [18] And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD. [19] And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
See All...). Consider that level of loyalty that would inspire men to risk their lives simply because their king expressed a thirst for some particular water. In addition to the men who were willing to risk their lives for David’s safety, there were many others who merely wanted to be by David’s side. Such was the testimony of Ittai.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Timothy was loyal to God and to Paul. Paul had led him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and subsequently trained him. They were like father and son. Paul could trust him (Philippians 2:19-22 [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
  See All...). Another loyal friend to Paul was Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18 [16] The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: [17] But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. [18] The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What have you done to demonstrate your loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ? What have you done to demonstrate your loyalty to others the Lord has given you?
• Are you loyal? Has your loyalty encouraged others to likewise be loyal? Have you allowed others to see the benefits of loyalty in your own life?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for those who were loyal before you.
• Ask God to make you an example of loyalty.

HYMN

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

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