Having spoken about kindness last week, Dave looked at the story of David and Mephibosheth in more detail this week as a practical example of God’s grace and kindness in action.
In 2 Sam 9:1-12, we read the story of how David remembered his promise to Jonathan and made every effort to trace his descendants so that he could bless them. This is in stark contrast to the usual behaviour of kings, who wanted to cement their position by getting rid of any legitimate claimants to the throne. David’s friendship with Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, was such that the promise he made to him to remember his family with kindness was something he determined to do. Mephibosheth, living in poverty and crippled after being dropped at the age of five when fleeing from David, was living in L0-Debar. He was a nobody, living in a place of no pasture, but David took the initiative in seeking the lost, just as God did with us (see Rom 5:12, Luke 19:10). All have been damaged by Adam’s sin and can do nothing worthy to be saved; moreover, we are not even interested in God (see Rom 3:11), but God has taken the initiative because of His loving kindness. (Eph 2:4-10)
Mephibosheth was fearful of David’s summons, presuming death awaited him at the end of that long journey from Lo-Debar to Jerusalem, but although the conviction of the Holy Spirit troubles those who are living in sin and guilt, ultimately His presence in our lives leads us to repentance in the same way that when Mephibosheth actually arrives in David’s presence, all he finds are love and forgiveness.
David spoke tenderly to Mephibosheth, calling him by name. God speaks tenderly to us too, calling us by name as He did with Zacchaeus and Paul (see John 10). God gives us restoration and invites us to dine at His table, just as David allowed Mephibosheth to eat at his table and ensured there were servants looking after him for the rest of his life. 2 Cor 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us; it satisfies us and provides for us and gives us a new position, raised with Christ in heavenly places.
Mephibosheth came just as he was and was welcomed by David. In the same way, we come just as we are to God and are welcomed and accepted. Eph 2:4-8 reminds us of God’s mercy and grace to us. We can rejoice because of God’s loving-kindness towards us.
