(2nd Sam 9:7 CEV) Mephibosheth knelt down again and said, “Why should you care about me? I’m worth no more than a dead dog.”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” Yesterday I introduced you to Mephibosheth. King David said that he would return all the property that king Saul once owned to Mephibosheth. This would make Mephibosheth rich over night. Furthermore, David said that Mephibosheth would be a guest at the King’s table for meals, this would restore his position of prominence and stature. No matter what Mephibosheth had been through in life, his turnaround had come, his breakthrough was being offered to him. But the pain of his past would not let him see it. Mephibosheth still saw of himself as a “dead dog” and a person unworthy of such treatment. Many Christians today have the same problem. They may not call themselves a dead dog, but they feel unworthy of the blessings and promises of God and because they do, they actually hinder the blessing from operating in their lives.
Why would a person who was once heir to the thrown make such a statement? Dr. I. V. Hilliard says that there are four main factors that shape our value and belief system. Let’s take a look at the four and how they apply to Mephibosheth’s life:
1. Social Environment: Mephibosheth was taken from the king’s palace to live in Lo-debar. He went from the place of pleasure and plenty to the place of unrest and lack. Mephibosheth’s continual exposure to a culture of disappointment, displeasure, and dejection took a toll on him. Even if he arrived in Lo-debar with a royal attitude, the exposure to the wrong environment will turn anyone into the wrong person. So if you want to get to the point where you “never give up,” you must surround yourself with people of like precious faith.
2. Credible Authority Figures: Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan was killed and his grandfather Saul committed suicide. They were his connection to greatness and a faint memory of childhood bliss. But if you have positive role models, look up to them and model yourself after them.
3. Repetitious Information: You eventually believe what you consistently receive. This is why it is very important to protect your “ear gate.” Mephibosheth was more than likely exposed to conversations of failure, frustration, and disappointment. The people around him were associated with Saul’s regime and probably talked about the “good ‘ole times,” without any hope of future success.
4. Personal Experiences: Our personal experiences make the most impact on our belief system. Mephibosheth experienced a string of unfortunate events. Not only did he lose his royal lineage overnight, but he was also dropped and maimed at the same time. And then, to make a bad situation worse, he was taken to live in an unproductive and uncreative environment. Since the age of five, all he knew was struggle.
I know this all paints a pretty bad picture, but here comes the good news. The king was willing to bless Mephibosheth and turn his life around. Although king David was obligated to fulfill his part of the covenant, Mephibosheth still had a role in the matter. He needed to look beyond the pain of his past and long enough to see hope for his future. Mephibosheth needed to do two things: recognize the authority of the king and receive the blessing from the throne.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that God wants to bless you. Even if your life has taken a turn for the worse, like Mephibosheth’s did, you are still alive, so God can still turn it around! There are hundreds of promises that pertain to you because of the covenants established in the Word of God. The promises will never change your life, however, if you are not willing to: 1) recognize the authority of God and the validity of the scriptures and 2) receive the blessing by grace, through faith.
Closing Confession: Father, I expand my capacity to believe You. I will not allow the pain of my past to derail me from my future. I look beyond disappointment, frustration, and hurt. I look unto Jesus, who is the author and the finisher of my faith. I revamp my belief system through the Word of God. I look forward and not backward. Forward ever, backward never. The blessing of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Jesus is also on me and my family! I recognize Your authority and I receive Your blessing by grace, through faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
