“And the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem.” 2 Samuel 23:16
There is an aspect of suffering referred to in God’s Word in which it is seen as the deliberate choice of his children, those whose consuming desire it is to be of service to him. This is not something imposed upon them to which they reluctantly submit, but something they joyfully choose.
David’s mighty men need not have exposed themselves to danger in this way, but when they heard him express his longing, they risked their lives to satisfy it.
The Christian should have a mind to suffer hardship. God will put a limit to our sufferings, but there should be no limit to our willingness to suffer for his testimony and for the salvation of men. This mind to suffer is not a romantic idea; it is the masculine spirit of those who disregard careful calculations and the crippling fear of going to extremes, all for love of Christ.
