Mighty Man or Mighty Mouse

2 Samuel 23:16

So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.

Charles Barkley was talking about the toughness of Ron Artest the other night, and said he was one of the few players in the NBA he would put on his "Fox Hole" team. In order to play on Charles’ “Fox Hole” team, you have to be one of those tough, hard nose players who will fight to the end. It’s important to know who you are fighting with and what they are made of before you go to war. Are they mighty men or mighty mice?

David had some mighty men with him:
Adino Killed 800 men at one time. You need somebody on your team that can stand alone and do the work of ten men if they have to.

Eleazar kept fighting the Philistines all day until his sword stuck to his hand. You need somebody on your team who will not quit until the job is done.

Shammah was with a group of men standing in a field of lentils defending it when everybody fled. He stood in the middle of the field to defend it until he defeated every Philistine single handedly. You need some people on your team who will stand their ground even if they have to stand alone.

Then there were the tree men who were coming in at harvest to the stronghold where David was. They overheard their leader longing for home and wanting a drink from the well in Bethlehem. They had a lot of respect for David. They knew how valiant of a leader he was and how he had risked his life for them time after time. They got together and decided we are going to get our leader what his heart desires. It was only three of them but they fought through the front line of the Philistine camp, went to the gate still fighting, lowered the bucket into the well and got a jar of water for their leader, fought their way back to the stronghold and gave it to David. I have to imagine that David was standing there with his mouth open. He couldn’t believe the love, loyalty, and sacrifice these men had made for him. David didn’t demand the water, he just mentioned it in passing. When you have mighty men and women on your team, you never have to demand anything they just know you and do what they have to do to get it done.

What made them mighty?

1. They had the heart of their leader. They knew his heart because they were listening to him.

2. They were with him in the stronghold. They were with him where he was. In order to be a mighty man, you have to be where your leader is physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

3. They went through obstacles to get what their leader desired, not demanded. Once you know what your leader needs, you have to show him/her how committed you are to them.

4. They fought valiantly. Even while they were retrieving the water, I can imagine they were still fighting. Three men against hundreds.

David is a mighty man himself. What I love about him is that he didn’t demand the water and when he thought about how his men risked their lives for the water he wouldn’t drink it but he gave it up as an offering to the Lord. When you have mighty men on your team don’t take them for granted. You must be a mighty man (woman) to draw mighty men (women) to you.

Dear God, make me a mighty man. Help me to walk in integrity, courage, and faith. When others flee, help me to stand. You are a mighty God please make me a mighty man.

In Jesus Name.

Amen.