There Also Will Your Servant Be

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 15

Scripture Focus: Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” (2 Samuel 15.21)

Devotional Thought: King David was at times wildly popular, and at other times mildly tolerated. There were people who readily rejoiced when he came to power and others who silently seethed. But, until Absalom deposed his father the king, it was generally a good thing to be a supporter of the king. At that time, people’s true colors were revealed. Ittai was one of those people.

Ittai was a Gittite, a “foreigner,” yet he fully supported the king – even when the king had lost popular support. Redeemed from the enemies of God to become an ally of God and his people, Ittai was determined to stay with David, no matter what. His decision would have meant certain death if Absalom had prevailed.

What about us and our determination to “stay” with our King? Are we willing to say, as did Ittai, “wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be?” The way may lead to sickness: I’m sticking with Jesus. The path may be through persecution: I won’t leave Jesus. Others may reject, neglect or ridicule me: I want Jesus’ approval.

There are those who follow Jesus at the peril of their lives. In the New Testament, their homes were confiscated, their businesses were boycotted, and their families were threatened. These things are still a reality in today’s world, where antagonistic religions persecute Christians. Even in “The Land of the Free,” holding Christian values can be very costly. Churches, pastors, even businesses are subject to persecution for acting on their faith.

In this day of darkness, may we be like that foreigner Ittai: “Wherever my Lord shall be, there also will your servant be.”

Prayer: Lord, as Ittai told David, so I say to you, "Wherever my lord the king shall be, there also will your servant be." I have decided to follow Jesus, and there's no turning back! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 104.16-23

16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. 20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. 21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. 22 When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.