19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. 20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness.”
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 servant be.”
22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.
2 Samuel 15:19–22 (NIV)
Let me issue a disclaimer on the story I am about to share and also state that the story is not meant to incite or speak ill against our wives or women in society. There is already too many struggling families out there. Thank you.
About a month ago, I read the story of Steven Philips; a man who was arrested, convicted and ultimately incarcerated for 24 years on a rape charge. This incident happened in 1982; two years after Philip was married to his wife - Traci. The couple had just started a Roofing business and were also expecting their first child. These are the words of Traci as reported by Brandi Grissom of The New York Times (June 15, 2013); “He’s extremely ambitious and a very hard worker, a pretty brilliant guy,” she said. “And I was right there by his side the whole time”. Unfortunately, after spending a decade supporting the husband and trying to get help to free him, the couple grew apart and devoiced in 1992. According to the report, Traci said Philips requested for the divorce because he grew distant and wanted her to move on. However, in the same report, Philips states “he appreciated Ms. Traci Tucker’s support during his trials, but contended that she had rarely visited him in prison.”
After spending 24 years in prison, a DNA test connected another man to the rape case and prompted the court to declare Mr. Philips innocent. According to the reporter “In 2009, the state awarded him a lump sum payment totaling more than $2 million, and a monthly annuity of more than $11,000. In total, his compensation package for time spent in prison is worth nearly $6 million, not including health care and education benefits he is also eligible to receive.” Now, to the interesting part of the story and why I choose it as an introduction to my reflection. The ex-wife of Mr. Philips, Traci, is arguing that she is entitled to a portion of that money and had sued him in court. According to the reporter, a Dallas County state district judge awarded her about $150,000 from the compensation package awarded Mr. Philips. Mr. Phillips said his ex-wife’s lawsuit was among a handful of legal fights he has faced since his release. You can find google for the details of the story later.
Brethren, I want to borrow the words of Steven Philips in the same article, “When the cheese is on the table, the rats come out”. Isn’t it wonderful how money can bring out a lot of hidden secrets, friends, acquaintances, loyalist, sympathizers, and so forth? Just like Mr. Philips, you are a nobody and no one cares about you when you have no money or standing in society, or you are being wrongly accused. This is what Isaiah wrote about our Lord Jesus Christ years before his crucifixion “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)).
Our scriptures for today talks about one of David’s loyalist – Ittai, who followed him with his entire family when David was fleeing from his son Absalom. David bid Ittai not to follow him because he wasn’t sure how long the uprising was going to last. However, Ittai insisted I will still go with you. We always have a choice when it comes to the issue of our loyalty. The only thing is choosing right, and sticking to what we agree on. Because the truth is that, we all do not know how things will turn out. I always say when it comes to the destinies of people, allow God to be the soul judge. Don’t be quick to dismiss people or look down on them. I also believe we choose based on faith and hope in God and not carnality. Because it is God alone who can turn situations around with 24 hours (Joseph’s turnaround story in Genesis 41 should be an example for us). Ittai did not only risk his life, but his entire family and generation. If David had lost the battle against Absalom it would have meant doom for an entire generation. Notwithstanding this, he chose to be loyal to the true King.
In John 6:67–68 (ESV), “Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”. We get to know loyal and people of integrity during our weak moments. When we are down in the pits, unrecognized, unknown, unseen and messed up. Always watch and keep an eye on those that remain loyal. There are start-to-finish loyalist, middle-to-finish loyalist and last-minute loyalist. You will encounter them as you journey in life. King David before becoming king of Judah and Israel had many people around him who were very loyal from the beginning. However, some lost integrity and became disloyal as they traveled along in life. A typical example is Joab son of Zeruiah, who was implicated in various issues like killing Abner and his brother Amasa (2 Samuel 3:26-39), killing Absalom when David had given a clear instruction not to kill him (2 Samuel 18) and also conspiring and crowning Adonijah as King without David’s instruction (1 Kings 1).
People of God, the point is that loyalty matters a lot in every spear of life. Our Marriage life, Family life, Work life, Religious life and Friendship. Always seek the guidance of God when you are at a crossroad of deciding, particularly when it comes to our relationships with people.
Shalom and Peace to you.
Maurice Luther
Founder, The Christian Migrant Network
thechristianmigrant@gmail.com
