Articles
Seek the King
What is it that you want most? Our lives revolve around attaining what we want, whether for noble causes or otherwise. We spend great amounts of energy working hard in our jobs, building strong families, and helping others. Although we should be diligent with our goals here on earth, Jesus reminds us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). As Christians, our desires should surpass worldly pleasures. The foundation and purpose of our lives is God. We would all admit that our desire is to go home to heaven, and that the zenith of all experiences will be worshipping God in His presence -- seeing Him face to face. Ultimately, it is the King we seek.
Recall David’s son Absalom. He “lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king’s presence” (2 Samuel 14:28). How strange it is for the son of a king to not desire to be with his father. Of course, Absalom’s intent was made known when he finally went to his father. He had no desire for a relationship with King David; he only wanted the kingdom. Absalom was driven by ambition, and thought he had rightful claim to the kingdom. This desire for authority, riches, and status is not too far removed from the prideful attitudes we Christians sometimes display. Not only do we want the blessings without the work, but we sometimes behave like Absalom did: we stand outside the gates and turn attention and affection to ourselves and away from the King. We must be careful not do things simply to magnify ourselves here on earth, but to exalt the name of the Lord, our King.
When David and his loyal subjects fled Jerusalem to escape Absalom, he met a man name Ittai, who was a Gittite. David told Ittai to return, since he had only joined David a day before. Incredibly, Ittai’s response was, “...as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be” (2 Sam. 15:21). It is amazing that Ittai was willing to die to be with his king. He was willing to give up exactly what Absalom was seeking. He gave up his personal ambition and pride to be with the king because he trusted David. He knew his king would care for and provide every need for his loyal followers.
The Lord our God is not just the Giver of life, He is life. He blesses us in every way. Often, we act like children who only go to their parents when they want something from them. Much more than our parents, God gives us provides us with comforts here but ultimately gives us what we need -- grace, mercy, and peace -- which we could never obtain without Him. Do we serve God only as a means of meeting our earthly goals, or do we seek Him because He is our goal? Paul was a man who had attained much on earth, yet he said, “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7). Like Ittai, he was willing to give up everything to be with the king: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil 3:8). So again, what is it you want most: a comfortable life, popularity, power? Or do you want God because of who He is and for what He can do? May we have hearts like Ittai and not Absalom; hearts that seek to know the King!
