TEXT:

‘Tomorrow is the New Moon and you will be missed because your seat will be empty’ – 1 Samuel 20:18

THOUGHT:

I want to change the text to read, “Tomorrow is the New Year and you will be missed because your seat will be empty.”

Where should you be tomorrow? Will your seat be empty because you will not be where you should be?

• The Person who is missing

David was not going to be at the feast because his life was in danger due to King Saul’s jealousy and uncontrollable mood swings. Maybe that’s true for you or perhaps it will be because of a disagreement, debt and money issues, or your marriage is heading for divorce because you will be in someone else’s house and not your own. Perhaps it’s just that you are too busy with work or some other activity so that those who love you the most are now resigned to seeing an empty chair!

• The person or people who are expecting you to turn up

Have you considered their feelings if your seat is empty? What about their disappointment, even anger and tears when they have gone to so much trouble to make the day special? Many relationships end simply because one or the other stops giving time to make it work. Being there whatever it costs, helps to re-inforce the bond between spouses and families. Whereas the empty chair often shouts out, “I couldn’t care less, I’ve got other things to do!”

• God’s invitation

In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus taught the parable of the Great Supper. Invitations had been sent out and now the servants were sent to get the guests. That’s when the excuses started. One said, “I have bought a piece of land and need to see it.” In the dark! Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and need to test them.” Ploughing at night? Someone else said, “I have married a wife so I cannot come!” What wife would not want to get dressed up for a meal out and not have to cook? People do not realise how ridiculous their excuses sound to others.

So all their seats would be empty, but the host wanted them to be filled and gave their invitations to others. There was going to be a full house regardless of the indifference of those first invited. God warns that His Spirit will not always try to persuade men to change their ways, but will at some point leave them to their own ways and actions.

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day. Falling on a Sunday, it will be easy for some to make excuses about not being in church. “It’s a Bank Holiday; the family are coming over; the sun is shining and we want to go out!” Starting the New Year in the way that we should will act like a rudder keeping us in the right direction for the rest of the year.

Think how thrilled the minister would be to see not only you in your seat but someone new sitting beside you, who is only there because you brought them with you. See what a difference it will make to the singing and preaching! A little encouragement for the one in charge will pay rich dividends. All too often, those leading services stare at empty seats, giving supposed apologies on behalf of those who should have been there.

Whether it’s a return to the church you have stopped going to, a first time visit, or you are a committed member, make tomorrow special by putting God first and being where He wants you to be. Not just in His house, but afterwards in the houses of those expecting you and wanting to see you.

May you have a Blessed and Peaceful New Year!