The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-03-16

GzAs.seSz were turning from
4 him, and his pop.
ularity seemingly
was waning. Then II was that lttai
came to him with cheer and encour.
agement.
lttai's Choice Of David.
In the first place 1t was proper
choice, for even though David was
driven out. he was still the rightful
king. Then again, 1t was a very en-.
thusiastlc choice, as we see from verse
"a. lttai was In 1t for life or death.
And II 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 dificul.
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 the proper choice for
the Christian is a deliberate and en-.
thusiastic choice of the Lord whatever
the cost may be.
lttars Conservation to David.
His cons.cration is seen in his sep
aration to Dayld's person. Where the
king VAS he would be and where the
king went he must go. But this IN
Volved a confession OF David pur-
pose. Being found with David meant
tnat what David wanted TO do, he want.
ed to 40. 1t would be pain TO all,
friend and foe aiiAe, what lttai want
Ell. And this III turn meant assocIa-
lon 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.
lttaPs Compensation From David
To read this we must read Sam.
1871, 2. In this passage we are told
that lttai came to place of
responsibility for Davids work. lie
became leader among Davids
friends. This put him into a place
OF honor before David's enemies. They
knew lttai had been promoted ana
henceforth they must reckon with
him in their warfare against David.
And this gave him PLACE in sharing
in Dayid's triumph when at last the
king came into his own. What an
incentive for all Christians to step ou;
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
upon his throne.
lttai's Secret.
Each successful life has had al its |
foundation some secret spring which
has supplied the continuing energy
10 give that life success. In lttars
case the secret was threefold. He had
4 personal attachment to David which
never wavered when David came to
.roublous times. He was ready with
sacrifice for David when the
lsurper was on the throne and David
iriven out. And finally there was per-
'onal satisfaction with David even
when apparently David could give him
lothing but difficulties and dangers
while David's rival could hold out the
'romise OF ease and safety. This
anne threefold secret applied to the
life of any Christian in relation to
he Lord will bring success OF the
highest kind. There is in this fol.
owing the Lord, sacrifice and priva.
ion, difficulty and danger in the pres
mt time, but in the end 1t will be
lory and honor. delight and JOY in
he presence OF the Lord Jesus
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