MONDAY 23 May, 2016
Choosing Your Company
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. - 2 Samuel 15:19
Ittai had chosen to go with David and his people as they suffered the consequences of Absalom’s rebellion and takeover of the kingdom. David was apprehensive to bring him along, mainly because his loyalty had not yet been tried and tested. Ittai was also a foreigner and recently exiled from his own place. Instead of being displaced again, he gave him the option of remaining in the city.
Moses became an exile from Egypt after he murdered one of the Egyptians for beating a Hebrew. In fear he fled to the wilderness (Exodus 2:1-15). He dwelt there until the Lord called him to set His people free from slavery. Hebrews 11:24-26 tells us that Moses made a determined choice not to remain in the royal household of Pharaoh:
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures inEgypt; for he looked to the reward.
What about us? Will you choose to keep company with those who enjoy the passing pleasures of sin or separate yourself to be among God’s people? Each choice has a final destination, heaven or hell. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we exhibit servitude to the world and become citizens of heaven.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
~Ephesians 2:19~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!