David wanted the city of Jerusalem for both spiritual and strategic reasons. So he said to his men, “The first guy who can find a way into the walled city of Zion will be my general.” The fact that Jerusalem was surrounded by valleys on three sides and a mountain on the fourth made David’s challenge seem impossible. Yet, with no water source on the inside, David knew that, because the Jebusites couldn’t survive without water, there had to be a camouflaged shaft descending seventy-five feet to the Kidron River below.

First Chronicles 11 tells us the name of the man who found the shaft was Joab. As we have seen, Joab was not the most upstanding man. But one thing he did do: He found a way to get into the city. Joab’s example is vital for us. You see, we serve a Greater-than-David - the Son of David - Jesus Christ. Like David, Jesus desires to take cities. But He also desires to take countries, families, and individuals. He wants to beat back the spiritual Jebusites who keep people in bondage. So what does He do? He comes to people like you and me and says, “I want to talk to him; I want to see her saved; I want to touch them. And the first person who will shimmy up the shaft will be My man.” Like Joab, we might not be the greatest, the most worthy, or the most spiritual. But if we are simply willing to shimmy up the shaft, He’ll use us mightily.

There are desires the Lord places on your heart, thoughts He puts in your mind, things you know the Lord would want you to do - to talk to your neighbor, to teach a Bible study, to reach your co-workers. But as sure as you feel that tug on the strings of your soul, you hear the taunting of the enemy saying, “You’re blind. You’re lame. There’s no way you can make an impact.” If that’s the way you see yourself, you are in a perfect position to be blessed, for it was especially the blind and lame whom Jesus healed (Matthew 21:14).

William Carey, the great missionary who opened the continent of India for the Gospel, said, “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” In other words - “Shimmy up the shaft.”

The Jebusites will say you don’t have a prayer. Jesus, however, says, “I’ve healed your blind eyes and lame feet. Now look to Me and step out because there are people, families, and cities I want to claim through you.”