Blessings From Loyalty

"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart...Who keep his oath even when it hurts" (Psalm 15:1,2,4b).

We are all familiar with men such as King David, Joshua "fit the battle of Jericho", Daniel in the lions den, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the fiery furnace, etc. Great men of God to be sure. Have you ever heard of Ittai? We do not speak much of these little known men but they are so important for us today. From them we can learn principles that bring us closer in our walk with the LORD.  Ittai was not an Israelite, he was a Philistine, as you may remember the Philistines were at war and were enemies of Israel. Ittai was a mercenary, and as mercenaries do he hired himself and his men to guard King David. Why would King David hire a mercenary, because the mercenaries did not have political ties and were only interested in profit.  Therefore, they were safe to have around. The next day after hiring Ittai David's son, Absalom, led a rebellion against his father's rulership. Absalom had taken years planning and scheming for this day. King David had to flee and Ittai and his men went with King David. David graciously released Ittai and his men from their oath of service. "You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your countrymen. May kindness and faithfulness be with you." (2 Samuel 15:20). Only one day in service for the King barely enough time to build any loyalty, but to give one's word meant something and so Ittai answered, "But Ittai replied to the king, 'As surly 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"        (2 Samuel 15:21).

Ittai is certainly one of the unknown heroes of Scripture. He sets a challenging example. For Ittai, his word was his bond. When he pledged his service to David, he had not expected a rebellion the very next day. Even though circumstances changed, Ittai's commitment was unchanging. We live in a world where people don't keep their oaths. The days have gone by when a handshake meant everything because it represents who you are, a man of loyalty, one who will keep his word. Divorce is rampant in this world and is a shameful blight within the Christian Church. People who have been together for years, not just a day, break their solemn oaths that they gave to each other and before God. At a less, but still telling, we make a commitment to serve at the Church or any other function and then show up late or not at all. The simple active word is "COMMITTMENT".

Our heavenly father is and was and will be always committed to us. Jesus came and died proving that commitment. We should and can do no less, our commitments here and now to each other represents our commitment to our Savior. Consider your faith is written to encourage us to be so committed that we change the world. We bring the Good News, that there is everlasting life just waiting for them if only they would accept that gift. Our lives represent that everlasting Kingdom of God, we are its ambassadors, therefore, we have a responsibility to keep our oaths we we came before Him on that day and accepted Him as our Savior.

Daily Prayer:

Father forgive me for my past failures to keep my oaths. For not representing You my Great God and Savior. Help me to become the person you want me to be. Help me in my commitment to You show the world a better way, the way to my Savior, Jesus. In the tough times when I wish to give up, give me strength. My life is dedicated to you.                                                          Amen