Unadulterated loyalty in the face of disaster - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 15:21,

"As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be."

This statement of unadulterated loyalty expresses without reservation a commitment, a dedication, a devotedness, a steadfastness: an impenetrable allegiance.

The statement was made by Ittai, a very recent arrival to David's Jerusalem, (just the day before), a man from Gath, the town from where Goliath, the giant was from. He made this statement to King David as the king was fleeing Jerusalem, from his son, Absalom, who was attempting to overthrow him.

Later, in 2 Samuel 18:2, we read of Ittai given a prominent place in David's forces, "David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite." Ittai's loyalty was not without its reward from the king.

This brings to mind my loyalty to my Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Can I make the statement that Ittai made to King David, without reservation? Is my commitment, my dedication, my devotedness, my steadfastness, my allegiance to Jesus Christ of the order of Ittai's to David? 

I would certainly hope so. The reality is that this kind of loyalty can only be evidenced by circumstances that provide an opportunity to express it. In Foxe's Book of Martyrs, many accounts of faithful believers, who shared a common loyalty to Jesus Christ of the order of Ittai's loyalty, is well documented.

Without question for me, based on my reading of the Scriptures, that opportunity will present itself somewhere in the future from here. Prior to the return of Jesus Christ, many believers will have that singularly wonderful opportunity to express their loyalty and devotion to him in what will be horrific and very painful circumstances. May all who profess their allegiance to Jesus Christ be strong on that day!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com