The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-03-24

was waning. Then it was that lttai
came to him with cheer and encour-
agement
lttai's Choice of David.
In the first place it was a proper
choice, for even though David was
driven out, he was still the rightful
king. Then again, it was a very en-
thusiastic choice, as we see from verse
q. Ittai was in it for life or death.
And It was a deliberate choice. He
was aware Of the difficulties, the pri-
vations and the dangers he must share
with David. He was not blind to the
promise of ease and safety and pos
sible advantage to himself by making
another choice. And he had before
him the example and influence of
some of the leading men who were
forsaking David. But he had count
ed the cost and then deliberately and
with enthusiasm he threw himself on
David side. What a picture this
presents Of what the Christians choice
should be in following the Lord.
Doubtless there are certain difficult
ties and priyations, certain promises
of ease and advantage from the other
side. And there is surely seen the
example of many who turn aside. But
in spite of this the proper choice for
the Christian is a deliberate and en-
thusiastic choice of the Lord whatever
the cost may be.
lttais Conservation to David.
His conservation is seen in his sep
aration to David's person. Where the
king was he would be and where the
king went he must go. But this in
volved confession of Davids pur-
pose. Being found with David meant
that what David wanted to do, he want
ed to do. 1t would be plain to all.
friend and foe alike, what Ittai want
ed. And this in turn meant associa-
ton with David's people! How strong
the church would be If, all processing
Christians were found among the peo-
pie of Christ, having the purpose of
Christ as their purpose and knowing
not only some of the promises OF
Christ, but knowing too something
of the person of Christ. But so many
have their own purposes to follow and
work out instead of the Lords. So
many there are whose associations
are more often formed among the enc
mics rather than the friends Of Christ.
Little is seen of true conservation
among them.
ittai's Compensation From David.
To read this we must read Sam.
1871, 2. In this passage we are told
that 1ttai came to place of
responsibility for David's work. He
became leader among David's
friends, This put him into place
of honor before David's enemies. They
knew Ittai had been promoted and
henceforth they must reckon with
him in their warfare against David.
And this gave him place in sharing
i'll David's triumph when at last the
king came into his own. What an
incentive for all Christians to step out
and away from the world with a con-
secration to the Lord which would re-
suit in each one having such place
in the Lords service that would make
the enemy take note Of them. And
in the filling OF such a place there
will come at last the sharing of our
Lords triumph when, his foes being
made his footstool, he is seated and
reigning upon his throne.
lttai's Secret.
Each successful life has had at its
foundation some secret spring which
has supplied the continuing energy
to give that life success In Ittai's
case the secret was threefold. He had
personal attachment to David which
| never wavered when David came to
| troubious times. He was ready with
personal sacrifice for David when the
usurper was on the throne and David
| driven out. And finally there was per-
| sonal satisfaction with David even
| when apparently David could give him
| nothing but difficulties and dangers
| while Dayid's rival could hold out the
! promise Of ease and safety This
| same threefold secret applied to the
| life OF any Christian in relation to
| the Lord will bring success Of the
| highest kind. There is in this fol.
! lowing the Lord, sacrifice and priva-
! ton, difficulty and danger in the pres
| ent time, but in the end it will be
glory and honor, delight and joy in
| the presence Of the Lord Jesus