His Seat Was Empty
In 1 Samuel 20, the account is given of King Saul wanting to kill David. David has a conversation with his dear friend, Jonathan, Saul’s son. Jonathan was incredulous that his father wanted to kill David. So, David came up with a method of determining Saul’s true intent.
The day following their conversation was the new moon celebration. David was habitually at this celebration, being a decorated soldier in Saul’s army. David decided, then, that he would refrain from attending this celebration for three days. At the point Saul asks Jonathan where David was, he was to respond that David had to go to Bethlehem for the yearly sacrifice.
If Saul answered positively, the situation was better than David believed. If he responded negatively, Jonathan would know for sure that David’s life was on the line.
The two made a covenant that day and Jonathan responded to his dear friend David, “Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty” (verse 18).
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When your seat is empty in worship to the Lord, does anyone notice? Do they expect something is wrong? Or would they simply shrug their shoulders and think it was par for the course?
This past Sunday, my father’s seat was empty at worship. He lived in North Carolina. When his seat was empty, my brother (Tim) called to find out if he was sick. He did not answer the phone. Tim went to his house and found that Dad’s spirit had already left to be with the Father. Because his seat was empty, Tim knew something was wrong.
God wants/seeks true worshipers (John 4:23). True worshipers are those who – like Dad and so many others – are always in worship, dependably. They worship God in spirit and truth. They are trustworthy in their worship.
Today is the last day of 2013. Let me strongly encourage you to make a concerted effort to see that your seat in worship is filled.
–Paul Holland
