Following the King’s Muse

And David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water form the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured out to the Lord.
1 Chronicles 11:17-18


Observation:
David’s staff was very impressive. There were mighty men of valor capable to kill hundreds. He had a group of thirty men that surrounded him closely and that helped him to win all his battles. There was a more intimate group of three. They were David’s closest associates. They were in such position of honor because their higher level of loyalty for the king. This passage reveals how the three had a stronger sense of obedience and maturity in their service to the king. They need neither the king’s suggestions nor his specific commands in order to obey him. Everybody else was able to do that. The three responded to the king’s muses.


Application:
Leaders normally use three levels of instruction in order to provide direction. The first is the level of commands. Good leaders are able to command and mobilize immediately their loyal followers. At these level leaders exercise the highest level of authority and provide lots of supervision. A subordinate that is incapable to obey commands demonstrates the poorest level of loyalty and maturity. These kinds of people are usually the first to give up because they get stuck in the most basic training grounds. They don’t have initiative. They are stubborn and not teachable. Usually they are the first candidates to get rid off, depending of the gracefulness of their leader.
However, when people obey commands in a regular basis, then they graduate to the second level of instructions, which is the level of suggestions. At this level the leaders don’t have to exercise full authority and the supervision decreases because the subordinates have a good record of obedience and loyalty. The leader doesn’t have to give commands but suggestions in order to provide direction. Subordinates take those suggestions and value them very highly, responding to them with competence and effectiveness.
The three men in this passage responded to the highest level of instruction, which is obedience to their leader’s muses. At this level subordinates exercise the highest degree of loyalty and commitment. There is no supervision from the leader because he trusts completely in them. The relationship between leader and follower is at its highest level here. People who respond not only to commands and suggestions, but to the muses of their leader are the most valuable servants to their leaders. They are also the closest to their leader’s heart.
As I follow my leaders I wonder where am I? Am I a good follower of commands? Am I good following suggestions? Do I know what my leaders are musing about? This is critical in order to be a good servant and follower. But most important than anything, these principles of submission and loyalty must be applied to our relationship with God. Following the Lord’s commands is only the beginning of maturity. As we get closer to God by obeying consistently his clear instructions we will start hearing His suggestions for our daily living. At this level we don’t struggle between what is right and wrong but between what is good and best. We will be able to decipher messages of instruction and guidance for specific areas in our lives. As we build consistency and obedience in this level we will come closer to the heart of God and will be able to hear His muse. I truly believe that that’s the place where God wants us to be as we grow in Him.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank you for revealing such a wonderful principle of obedience and submission. Please make me a faithful follower of your commands to the point of being very loyal in hearing and obeying your suggestions for my life. Let me grow in wisdom in my practical affairs. But more than anything, help me to be loyal to you to the point of listening to the muses of your heart. Give me the courage and determination to be in such a place in my relationship with you. I love you Lord. AMEN!