The Empty Pew

by Micky Galloway

I Samuel 20:16-25, “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, (saying), And Jehovah will require it at the hand of David’s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear again, for the love that he had to him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul. Then Jonathan said unto him, Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou wilt be missed, because thy seat will be empty … And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul’s side: but David’s place was empty.”

It is certainly sad to see an empty chair. Perhaps it is the chair of a beloved family member who has died or perhaps the chair of a child that has gone astray (cf. Luke 15). Whatever the cause, looking across the table at that empty chair brings a flood of memories and emotions.

One of the most beautiful friendships of human history is that of Jonathan, (son of Saul, the first king of Israel), and David, (son of Jesse, sweet singer of Israel, and a “man after God’s own heart”). On the occasion of the new moon referred to above, Saul’s important subjects were to eat at the King’s table. David feared that Saul would use the occasion to kill him or have him killed, therefore he was considering not attending. He and Jonathan devised a plan by which Jonathan would determine his father’s intentions and let David know so that David could attend or flee. Among other things, Jonathan said, “Tomorrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty” (I Samuel 20:18). No doubt Jonathan referred primarily to the fact that Saul would see David’s empty seat and ask, “Why?” However, I am just as sure Jonathan meant that he and others who loved David would miss him in a tender and loving sense.

I am convinced that brethren who do not worship regularly, do not understand how much they are missed when their seat is empty. Some may ask, “What is the point of going to worship assemblies?” We quote Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting (one another); and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh;” yet, forget verse 24, “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.” Being a Christian involves others who miss YOU when your seat is empty. Being a Christian is a “together” religion.

Acts 2:44-45, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.”

Acts 10:24-27, “And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together.”

Acts 11:25-26, “And he (Barnabas) went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

Acts 12:12, “And when he had considered (the thing), he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.”

Acts 15:30, “So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.”

Acts 20:7-8, “And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.”

Paul was excited to see his brethren. Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome had arrived three years before he did in the flesh. Now, finally (after months and more than a thousand miles on the Mediterranean), Paul saw these brothers and sisters in Christ with his own eyes and what a joyous occasion it was. “And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli; where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage” (Acts 28:13-15).

The saints in Corinth came together to worship (cf. I Corinthians 11:17-34). Note: “that ye come together” (verse 17), “when ye come together in the church” [church assembled – cf. I Corinthians 14:23, mg] (verse 18), “When therefore ye assemble yourselves together” [in one place, KJV, NKJV] (verse 20), “that your coming together …” (verse 34).

John tells us the joy of seeing each other! II John 12, “Having many things to write unto you, I would not (write them) with paper and ink: but I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy may be made full.” III John 13-14, “I had many things to write unto thee, but I am unwilling to write (them) to thee with ink and pen: but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace (be) unto thee …”

Presently, much of the disciple’s walk is “by faith, not by sight” (II Corinthians 5:7). Peter said, “that the proof of your faith, (being) more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, (even) the salvation of (your) souls” (I Peter 1:7-9). However, one day we will see Jesus face to face. “And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve (manner of) fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name (shall be) on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:1-4).

Job expressed his confident delight that he would see God face to face, “But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: And after my skin, (even) this (body), is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).

Being a Christian involves others! Though our hope is to be in the everlasting presence of God and see Him face to face, let us think of the blessing of being in the presence of Christians when it is time to assemble for worship! We miss YOU when your seat is empty! David said, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah” (Psalms 122:1).