Have you ever heard
about Ittai the Gittite? You have to love that name! He is found among the
many and somewhat obscure characters in the historical books of the Old
Testament. When David’s kingdom was threatened by his son, Absalom,
several men of sterling character stepped up to his side. We become
acquainted with him in 2 Samuel, a man much to be admired, that we’ll learn
more about in the next few days.
18 All his men
marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six
hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king. 19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should
you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a
foreigner, an exile from your homeland. 20 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 people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.” – Samuel 15:16-20
He didn’t make excuses! He had only been with David for a short while. He was a
foreigner. It wasn’t his fight, but his desire to serve was too great!
What excuses do we make to not serve?
May we use great examples of
faithful service to encourage us to do likewise.
Amen?
