Today’s Bible Reading: 2 SAMUEL 8:15-10:19; 1 CHRONICLES 18:14-19-19
2 Samuel 9:13
So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
Mephibosheth was the last remaining descendant of Saul. He was Johnathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. David had a deep abiding friendship with Jonathan. Because of their relationship David made a covenant with Jonathan to care for his descendants forever (1 Sam 11:42). Jonathan died in battle. His son Mephibosheth was 5 years old at the time. Mephibosheth’s nurse fled with him and as they escaped, he fell and became lame in both his feet. He remained handicapped the rest of his life.
Years later when David had secured the throne and had rested from his enemies, he inquired to see if there was anyone who was still alive from Saul’s family. He wanted to show them kindness for Jonathan’s sake. He was told about Mephibosheth, who was now about 22 years old. He was living in the wilderness town of Lo Debar which literally means “no pastures”. As an heir to the throne, he had kept a low profile in order to escape certain death by the current king. He was lying low to avoid detection. He was destitute and disabled in the desert, yet David sought him out to show him mercy. David’s action toward him was unsolicited, unmerited and unexpected.
When Mephibosheth was brought into the palace, he assumed he would be killed for being the last remaining descendant of Saul who could claim the throne. But, instead of receiving David’s wrath he was welcomed into the palace and given a place forever at the king’s table. This was not for his sake, but for Jonathan’s sake. As it was with Mephibosheth, so it is with us.
David’s kindness toward Mephibosheth is an illustration of God’s kindness toward us. We deserve the full measure of God’s wrath upon us, yet because of Christ we are forever welcomed into the presence of the Lord and seated at His table. For the sake of Christ, we are saved. God’s grace is extended to us not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who Christ is and what He has done on our behalf.
As followers of Jesus, we have been relocated from the barren land of our sin into the blessing of our Savior. We have been transplanted from our alienation from Him to being accepted by Him. We have moved from the desolation of our transgressions to the delight at the King’s table. That’s what grace is. It is going from a land of “no pastures” to the palace. It is forever finding a place at the king’s table no matter who we are or what we have done. That’s God’s amazing, unmerited, and undeserved grace toward us.
Today rejoice in God’s grace. Reflect on how spiritually you were like Mephibosheth in a deserted land of “no pastures” but you have been brought into the King’s palace. Thank God that through Jesus you forever have a seat at the King’s table.
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