(Read 2 Sam 9:1-8)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In this chapter we get to one of my favorite stories of redemption and grace. After everything David had been through in his life before he became king, after all the years of reigning as both the King of Judah and ultimately the King of Israel, and after all the fighting that led to an expansion of his Kingdom, David woke up one morning with Jonathan on his heart. Remember, it was Jonathan who was there for David when his family could not help him. It was Jonathan who put his life on the line for David, time and time again, choosing David over his own father Saul. It was Jonathan who entered into a covenant with David when no one else would. David thought of Jonathan and David asked his servants, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.” David wanted to show kindness to whomever was still alive. Not because they deserved it. Not because they earned it. No, the King wanted to extend royal grace to whomever was still alive from Saul’s house, because he had covenant with Jonathan. And although Jonathan was dead, the covenant was still alive.
One of David’s older servants was there and told David that Jonathan had a living son; but that he was lame. It was a sad story. When the word came to the palace that King Saul was dead, everyone scattered. Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was under the care of his nanny. She grabbed the 5yr. old boy and hurried to get out of the palace. In her haste she dropped the little prince and he was maimed in both his feet. I have a 6yr. old son right now and I could not imagine him not being able to run, play and jump. Mephibosheth’s life changed drastically in one day. He was carried to the land of Gilead, where he grew up and established a life in the city of Lo-debar. Interestingly enough, Lo-debar means “a place of no pasture,” “a barren place.” A little boy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, as an heir to the throne, and with a bright future, was dropped by life and he wound up in Lo-debar, a barren place with no future. Isn’t that how it is sometimes? Countless people have been dropped by the events of life and they wind up somewhere they never imagined. They wake up thinking, “This isn’t the life I envisioned. This is the life I imagined. This isn’t the life I wanted.”
David wasted no time and commanded his servants to get Mephibosheth. When Mephibosheth, who was once comfortable around royalty, came before King David, he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David. David said, “Mephibosheth.” “Yes sir,” he replied. “Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.” But Mephibosheth had low self-esteem and he could not see himself receiving what David was offering. It was too much for him to fathom. Mephibosheth responded with one of the saddest lines in the Bible. The former prince said, “Why should you care about me? I’m worth no more than a dead dog.” We will stop here for today, but don’t worry, we will cover the story of Mephibosheth for the next few days.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Your state is not your fate. Things may not always work out the way you wanted them to, or the way you imagined they would, but if you are still alive, then there is still hope! Don’t accept your state as your fate. Don’t judge your future by your past. One Word from God can turn any seemingly hopeless situation around. So never give up hope! Keep believing, keep pressing, and keep striving for God’s best.
2. Maintain a positive self-image. Don’t allow bad situations to force you to change your opinion of yourself. As a young prince Mephibosheth surely saw himself with a bright future, but after a series of unfortunate events he saw himself as a “dead dog.” Never allow a negative situation to shape your self-image. See yourself the way God sees you. You are bigger than what has happened to you!
3. Your turnaround can come at any moment, especially when it comes by grace. Mephibosheth did nothing to earn David’s favor, nothing to warrant a position in the palace, and nothing to deserve his grandfather’s land, but he got it all by grace. And this is how God often deals with us. Even when we are down, like Mephibosheth was, and we are not in a position to make a great stand of faith, God sometimes blesses us richly by His amazing and immeasurable grace. Not because we earned it, not because we deserve it, but only because He is so good and because of His love. So get your hopes up. God’s grace can be showered on you at any moment.
Closing Confession: Father, I look around at my life – where I am today and what I have been through – and I can acknowledge the fact that everything may not have worked out the way I expected. But at the end of the day, I am still here, You are still my God, I am still alive and I still have hope. You are always with me and since I am never helpless, I am never hopeless. Therefore, I am committed to seeing myself the way You see me. I am a King’s kid, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen person, and I am blessed. I align my opinion of me with Your opinion of me and my positive self-image helps me to keep going, even when the pressures of life tell me to quit. I have experienced Your grace and more occasions than I can remember and I am ready to receive it today. Mephibosheth was redeemed and restored by grace by his rightful position in David’s Kingdom. I was redeemed and restored by grace to my rightful position in Yours. You have blessed me and You continue to do it, not because I deserve it, but because of Your grace and loving kindness. For that Father, I will never cease to give You praise. I enter this day thankful for being redeemed, restored, revived and made ready to make the impact You want to make through me, within my sphere of influence. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
