At All Cost

2 Samuel 15:21

“But Ittai replied to the king, ‘as surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servants be.”

It was God-orchestrated that my week would center on one word: sacrifice. Holy week was a given. The whole world took time to observe the passion of the Christ. TV channels, FB links, text messages - - all revolved around His willful, obedient death on the cross. Hosting three guests in our home was no exception to deviate from the theme. Right after we brought them to Magellan’s cross, we witnessed hundreds of devotees lined up for a long walk ahead. Seeing parents with their small kids, pregnant women, even old men in wheelchairs reiterated the sacrificial journey they intend to take part in. God continued to speak. A glimpse of sacrifice here and there. ‘To death’ was Buck’s line in Ice Age 3 that my kids were watching. First chapter of Ambrose’ Band of Brothers highlighted on total comradeship. In Enemy at the Gates, one Russian baited himself to expose the position of his sniper-friend’s target. In our holiday-spent-at-the-pool, one cousin gave up her swimsuit for the other to make a pass. Then yesterday, we had to miss Sunday service in consideration to other kids who might get infected with Kjaran’s might-be-measles, and to attend to her of course. Thank God for livestream we’re still able to hear an Easter message.

And now I’m reading about Ittai. He’s one of the Gittites who were foreigners in Israel, exiles from their homeland. David took them in just one day (or a few years maybe) before Absalom’s conspiracy. It’s understandable for them to promise allegiance to the king when he’s still firmly holding the scepter. But now that he’s dethroned, benefit level crashed below zero level. The Gittites had a choice. Exactly why their action belongs to this category. David made it clear it’s a wander-ful journey ahead. But once more, they declared loyalty. We expect that with David’s household. ‘Til death do us part’ was their vow. We’re glad the priests and his officials sided with him. It was in gratefulness and for good old times sake for sure. But from strangers? No one would count it against new employees if they wouldn’t show up for work in the heat of labor unions or bankruptcy. It’s not their fight. So why did Ittai stayed? Read again: “As surely as the Lord lives”.  It was an oath of faith to God Himself. Ittai believed in God’s sovereignty and eternity. He believed not just in David. He trusted in David’s God.

Today, loyalty comes with an x-deal. I’ll stay in the company if I’m well compensated. I’ll retain church membership if I’m well attended (or if it’s still well attended :<). I’ll keep this relationship as long as I’m well treated. Where has the phrase ‘I’ll be here because God wants me here’ gone to? No wonder only a few embrace sacrifice because they felt it wasn’t part of the deal. Jesus submitted to the call of suffering in obedience to the Father’s will. If we believe God placed us in that company for a reason greater than financial security, we won’t mind giving more hours without pay. If we believe it’s the church God wants us to belong, we’d continue to serve even if we feel it’s more convenient and they’re more creative there in the bigger churches. If we believe God ordained our relationship with this person, we won’t untie the knot because of character flaws or communication issues. The Lord lives! We say yes to sacrifice not just because there is hope and joy ahead, but because He is calling us to obedience here and now. Yes we have to count the cost, but with Him on our side, we can go at all cost!