The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-03-17

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ularity seemingly
was waning. Then it was that Ittai
came to him with cheer and encour-
agement.
Ittai's Choice of David.
In the first place it was proper
choice, for even though David was
driven out, he was still the rightful
king. Then again, 1t was very en-
thusiastic choice, as we see from verse
81. 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's side. What a picture this
presents of what the Christians choice
should be in following the Lord.
Doubtless there are certain difficult
ties and privations. 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 tho proper choice for
the Christian is deliberate and en-
thusiastic choice of the Lord whatever
the cost may be.
lttai's 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 David's 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 protesting
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.
lttai's Compensation From David.
To read this we must read / Sam.
1871, 2. In this passage we are told
that lttai came to a place of
responsibility for David's work. He
became a leader among David's
friends. This put him into a 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.
in 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 con-
secration to the Lord which would re-
suit in each one having such a 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.
Ittai'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
a personal attachment to David which
never wavered when David came to
troublous 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 David'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. q There is in this fol-
lowing the Lord, sacrifice and priva-
ton, difficulty and danger in the pres
ent time, but in the end 1t will be
| glory and honor, delight and joy in
the presence of the Lord Jesus
| Christ.