TUESDAY 24 May, 2016
Facing an Unknown Future
In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.” - 2 Samuel 15:20
David never expected Ittai to forsake all and follow him into an unknown future. There would be no city comforts on the journey and it could very well become a life or death situation. It was unfair to seek his allegiance in such turmoil, seeing as he just arrived. Should one day of loyalty to David commit him to a life time of wandering about?
Ittai had already experienced exile. Being a foreigner there was no demands on his loyalty compared with an Israelite who had to now choose between David and Absalom as their sovereign king. David had spent years hiding and wandering in the wilderness from King Saul. He knew what it was like to be hunted, always on the run, in fear of his life. He had to be watchful and never completely at ease. Then there was the need to find food and supplies for himself and his men.
If he followed David, there would be a cost involved and he didn’t expect Ittai to pay the high price. He urged him to return and wished him mercy and truth. He did not want him to feel any obligation and he felt no disloyalty if he decided to return, he was free to go with his brethren.
In Matthew 8, a scribe, a religious leader, said to Jesus: “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” He was made to consider that choice when Jesus replied:“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” There would be no comfort on the journey but suffering and the cost of picking up his cross.
What about us? Are we ready to follow Jesus no matter the cost?
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me.
~Jesus Christ~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!