(2 Sam 9:8 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 series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Let’s close out the week by taking a closer look at what Mephibosheth said to King David in yesterday’s message. Even after the King told Mephibosheth that he would return all the properties of his grandfather Saul, and even after telling him that that he would once again be a guest at the King’s table, Mephibosheth still thought of himself as a “Dead dog.” Mephibosheth could not bring himself to accept what King David was saying. He did not see himself as a person worthy 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 if you can’t ‘see it,’ you will probably never ‘be it.’ That is why God spends so much time with us, helping us to see ourselves the ways He sees us. Until we do, we will be resistant to all He wants to bless us with.
Why would a person who was once heir to the throne make such a statement? I believe it was because Mephibosheth was mentally distraught, disillusioned, and discontent with life by the time David offered him redemption and restoration. Let’s think about how Mephibosheth got to this point. 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 palace to live in Lo-debar. I already stated that Lo-debar was a dry and barren place. He went from a place of pleasure and plenty to the place of unrest and lack. There is no doubt that Mephibosheth was exposed to different conversations in Lo-debar than he was in the Saul’s palace. In the palace he was told that he was a prince with a bright future. In the palace he heard Kingdom talk of expansion, increase and victory. In Lo-debar Mephibosheth was exposed to an environment of broken dreams and dead hopes. I am speculating, but I am sure the conversations there were about how bad things were and how bleak the future seemed. I know we don’t like to admit it, but in many ways we are a product of our environment.
2. Credible Authority Figures: Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan (a Prince) and his grandfather Saul (a King) were both dead. Mephibosheth’s connection to greatness was severed from a young age and all he had left was a faint memory of childhood bliss.
3. Repetitious Information: You eventually believe what you consistently receive. This is why it is very important to protect your “ear gate.” I will further emphasis what I highlighted in point #1. 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. Whatever you hear, especially over and over again, eventually gets down in your heart. Once it is in your heart, it becomes part of you and it shapes your perspective.
4. Personal Experiences: Our personal experiences make the most impact on our belief system. Mephibosheth experienced a string of unfortunate events. He lost his royal grandfather and father at a young age, he was dropped and maimed at the same time, and he was taken to live in an unproductive and uncreative environment. Since the age of five, all he knew was struggle. It is no wonder why he saw himself as a “Dead dog.”
I know this all paints a pretty bad picture, but here comes the good news. The reigning King remembered that he had a covenant with Mephibosheth’s father. Even though his father was dead, the covenant remained intact. King David was obligated to fulfill the covenant. 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. Mephibosheth needed to look beyond his past 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? Let me give you a few quick nuggets:
1. Don’t judge your future by your past.
2. No matter how bad your past was, if you survived it, you are now equipped for a great future.
3. Our God is in the business of making holy garments from flawed material. He wants to bless you because He is good, not because you are.
4. When God promises to bless you, don’t think you need to earn it. All you need to do is recognize the authority of our God and receive (by faith) all He wants to give you (by grace).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your goodness and lovingkindness towards me. I have not always done right in your sight. I have not always lived up to Your standard. I have not always been light and salt. Life has not always been easy, but I am still here, so You are not through with me. I expand my capacity to believe You to the point where I am ready to receive all You want to give me. You want to bless me richly because You are so good, not because I am. You have plans for me and You made those plans before the foundations of the world. So I will not allow my past dictate my future. I look beyond disappointment, frustration, and pain. I look unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of my faith. I revamp my belief system through the Word of God. I look forward and not backward. My mantra shall be “Forward ever, backward never!” The blessing of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Jesus are mine! I recognize Your authority and I receive Your blessing. By faith I access your grace and I shall never be the same. I have a bright future, because You are the author of it. I enter this day with great expectations of my future and of all You desire to accomplish in, with, and through my life. I am in You, You are in me, and together we shall make Kingdom impact today and every day. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
