Monday, September 12, 2005
SAFE WITH JESUS
Because King Saul was always trying to kill him, David was continually on the run. One place David ran to was a town called Nob, where the Lord's priests lived. The high priest helped David, but a certain herdsman named Doeg reported it to King Saul. King Saul charged the priests of Nob with disloyalty and gave orders that they should all be killed.
Then we read in 1 Samuel 22:20-23, "Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord's priests. So David said to Abiathar, 'I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father's house. Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.'" From this time on Abiathar stayed with David until finally David became king.
In the days of Jesus Christ, we find something very similar. As David had his followers traveling with him on the run, so our Lord Jesus had His followers also. They were not exactly on the run, but still it was becoming dangerous to be Jesus' disciple because the Jewish leaders were making their plans to kill Him. If they stuck with Jesus, His disciples could expect some of the same treatment that was given to their Master. Jesus' disciples experienced this in the days that followed their Lord's death and resurrection. Their connection with Jesus led to their being chased, arrested, jailed, beaten, and killed.
Since we are Jesus' disciples today, we can expect that our association with Him will bring us some grief and trouble. Particularly in some of the Muslim countries of the world today Christians are being persecuted, tortured, and even killed for no other reason than that they are Christians.
Now think of what David said to Abiathar: "Stay with me; do not fear . . . with me you shall be safe." David's Son, Jesus, says similar words to us. With Jesus we are safe, safe from all His enemies and ours, safe even from sin and death and hell, for in Jesus we have forgiveness and eternal life. As long as we stay with Jesus, we need not be afraid.
