2 Samuel 19:12-13 – Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
King David had been in exile after the rebellious takeover of Absalom and now returns to his rightful throne. Upon his arrival he encounters four men who each have a decision to make concerning their loyalty to the King. This pictures the return of Jesus Christ and our accountability to him.
Amasa had been called to serve the King in the place of the wicked general Joab (vs. 13). Even though the time was late (they were the “last to bring back the king” – vs. 12), and the task was tough (taking the place of Joab), he accepted the call to labor for the King. He would never defeat Joab (2 Sam. 20:10) but at least he answered the call. We should labor for our King even though the time is later than ever. If we are faithful we can lay down a life of labor at the King’s feet when He returns!
Although William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire, he soon gave up that fortune for a higher calling. He surrendered to be a missionary and when he did wrote two words in the back of his Bible: “No Reserves.” After he graduated from Yale he turned down several high-paying job offers. He then wrote: “No Retreats.” After seminary work at Princeton he left for China to labor among the Muslims, but had to stop in Cairo Egypt for some training. It was there that he contracted cerebral meningitis and died. In his Bible he had written two more words: “No Regrets!”
Time may be short and the task demanding, but it will be worth it all! Will you lay down a life of labor at Jesus’ feet?