(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 series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After this verse David’s story transitions away from Mephibosheth and I am not ready to leave him just yet. Before we transition, let’s seek to glean a few more nuggets from his life. I will forego a recap of the story, so we can get straight into the application.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Everyone faces setbacks. I would love to tell you that after you become a Christian, that you would never face another challenge. But if I did, I would be lying. God never promised us a perpetual picnic. Facing challenges is not an automatic indicator that we have done something wrong. Actually, it is sometimes an indicator that we have done something right. But whether it was caused by something we did or not, we all face setbacks. Mephibosheth faced a terrible setback and it seemed like he would never overcome it.
2. God can turn a setback into a setup. If Mephibosheth were able-bodied he would have still be blessed by King David, but we don’t know if David would have offered Mephibosheth a seat at the King’s table. I believe David was moved with compassion when he saw the state Mephibosheth was in and he wanted to do more than just restore Saul’s land. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and we don’t always know why. But regardless of why, God can take what has happened to us and turn it around for our good.
3. If it does not look like you are winning, then the fight is not over. Believers and unbelievers both face challenges. The difference is that we (believers) face the challenges WITH God and they (unbelievers) face the challenges without Him. When God is with us, we can develop a resolve to keep going, even when the pressures of life are telling us to quit. The devil tries very hard to get you to quit, because he knows that if you keep going, you will eventually breakthrough. The only way you can lose is if you quit. No matter how bad it seems, never give up, cave in or quit.
4. God can bless you because of something someone else did for you. Mephibosheth was blessed because of his father Jonathan. He did not do anything to earn what David did for him. Mephibosheth was blessed by Grace and many of us can testify of similar situations. There are many times when God will use someone else to stand in the gap for you, to intercede for you, and to set up a situation where you are blessed, not because of anything you did, but because of what they did for you. Thank God for His overwhelming goodness, kindness, mercy and grace.
5. Our God is a God of legacy. Mephibosheth was able to enjoy a harvest from the seed his father Jonathan planted. God was working in Jonathan with Mephibosheth in mind and He does the same with you. When God looks at you He does not just see you. His purpose for your life is way bigger than just you. When God looks at you He sees your children and your children’s children. He wants to work a work in your life that will leave a legacy of righteousness for generations to come. Will you let Him?
Closing Confession: Father, I have faced my fair share of setbacks in life. Things have not always worked out the way I expected. Life for me has not been a perpetual picnic. However, I am still breathing, so You are not through with me. I am still here, and I am here by Your Grace. You are ON me, IN me, WITH me, and FOR me. I know You can turn every setback into a setup. Therefore, I refuse to quit. I enter this day and every day with the knowledge that You can take what was done to me with evil intentions and turn it around for my good. So my confidence is in You. My trust is in You. My expectation is in Your power. I look unto You to help me get through every rough season of my life. The only way I can truly lose is if I quit, but I refuse to quit. I will never throw in the towel. I will just take the towel, wipe off my sweat, and keep going. Looking unto Jesus, who is both the author and the finisher of my faith. Father, I know You will bless me because of the seeds my forefathers were able to sow. And I know you will bless my children and their children, because of the seeds I sow. So I go ‘forward ever, backward never’, with the resolve to leave a legacy of righteousness for the generations who will follow me. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
