(2 Sam 9:13 NIV) And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by wrapping up the story of Mephibosheth. Yesterday we discussed how King David restored Mephibosheth’s rightful inheritance. This was an example of God’s provision. Outward provision does no good, however, if you are not internally (mentally and psychologically) able to enjoy it. Mephibosheth was born royalty, but he had not been around the crown since the age of five. His thinking needed to be elevated. Even though the King had given him land and servants, he needed to be changed from the inside-out. What was King David’s answer for a crippled man with a low self-esteem? In the wisdom of God, David had Mephibosheth eat all his meals at the King’s table. Why? Because this would accomplish two things:
1. Cover his weakness: Mephibosheth’s greatest issue was his crippled feet. Although David was not anointed to heal him – the blessing of Abraham was more natural than spiritual – he did the next best thing. David covered Mephibosheth’s weakness by having him sit at the King’s table. Between the size of the table and the elaborate table coverings, Mephibosheth’s weakness (his feet) was covered. When dignitaries were fortunate enough to eat with the King they would never know that Mephibosheth had a weakness. Mephibosheth could sit with head’s of state and hold engaging and rewarding conversations without ever seeming crippled. David was helping Mephibosheth put his troubled past behind him.
2. Elevate his thinking: Once Mephibosheth felt comfortable operating as an “equal” with royalty and dignitaries he would no longer feel sorry for himself. His weakness was hid under the majesty of the throne and his thinking was elevated to match his new position of honor. David changed Mephibosheth’s financial balance sheet when he gave him the land, he changed his level of responsibility when he gave him the servants, but he changed his life when he covered his weakness and placed him in a position of honor.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. God offers you what David offered Mephibosheth. We serve a God who desires to cover your weaknesses, to give you a position of royalty in His Kingdom, and to elevate your thinking. Don’t focus on what you cannot do. Allow God to cover your weaknesses from your enemies and focus on your strengths in Him. Paul said the following about you; when you read it, internalize the words and make it personal. “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted” (1st Peter 2:9,10).
2. God has not given up on you. Even if you have allowed the frustrations of life to cause you to throw in the towel, and even if you have given up on what you thought your future would be, I want you to know that God has not given up on you. Mephibosheth had given up on life, but God had not given up on him. His breakthrough came when he least expected it. The same can happen for you. We serve a God who will not give up on you. You are still alive, so your dreams can still come to pass. Trust God, ask Him to help you release the pain of your past, and get your hopes up for your future!
Closing Confession: Father, I may have come to you damaged, but I am still destined. I may have come rejected, but now I am accepted. I cast my cares, anxieties, worries, and concerns over to You. You spread Your wings over me and keep me secure. Your faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. You cover my weaknesses and present me faultless before the world. You empower me to prosper and have made me a holy instrument in Your hands. I may have been nothing, but now I am somebody. I may have been rejected, but now I am accepted. I sit at Your table and I walk with my head held high. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
