ITHAI
Ithai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” (2 Samuel 15:21)
As a child, during summer I remember spending my time at a Christian youth camp. I can never forget the song that focused on deciding to follow Jesus. The chorus that contained an important phrase: “No turning back” always lingers in my mind.
King David was fleeing from his son Absalom who had taken his kingdom by force. Along with many others who followed David to the wilderness, Ittai the Gittite also followed him. Ittai was not an Israelite. He was a foreigner who came to Jerusalem only the day before David was fleeing. David proposes Ittai to stay with Absalom. But Ittai takes a stand along with his little ones (vs:21) and resolves to “Stay with the King, whether in life or in death”.
At times, we tend to make situational or analytical decisions, that may not be spiritual. Situations will always rise against God’s people. Don’t wait for situations to normalize to follow Jesus the king. Ittai is a representation of the Gentiles which is the People of God. David symbolizes Christ and His Kingdom.
Ittai, knew that persecution and death may also engulf him. Nonetheless, he instantly followed David and risked his life when he did not have to. Are we willing to follow Jesus our king, even if it means trials and testing? Moreover, he geared up his children too in following the king. Ofttimes, we tend to position our family in safe zones and then decide to take up the ministry. But Ittais’ decision was firm to follow the king with his family, whatever may befall. Finally, Ittai earned the Kings’ trust and was also rewarded with the position equivalent to the Army Commander Joab, when David entrusted one-third of his army under Ittais’ regiment (2 Sam 18:2).
Thus, giving ourselves to God, often comes with a price. Sometimes we may look insignificant. Sometimes we may look like a foreigner and be neglected. However, if we decide to follow Jesus our King and are faithful to Him till the end, though the path is dreary, then the Lord will also entrust us. He will also delegate us a regiment to reign and make our name great in earth and in heaven. Nothing compares with what we gain when we continue with Christ. Earn the Kings’ trust by your decision to Follow Him!!