READ: 2 Samuel 8-10
THINK: The story of Mephibosheth is an incredibly moving one. And it has, I think, profound meaning for us today. It is interesting that 2 Samuel 9, a relatively short chapter, mentions over and over and over again that Mephibosheth ate at David’s table. This isn’t an accident, and it isn’t because the writer assumes that readers will forget what they read only a few sentences ago. It is, I think, to accentuate and emphasize the incredible blessing of undeserved love.
Mephibosheth didn’t do anything to deserve David’s love or kindness. He was the son of David’s friend. That was his only qualification. And there was certainly nothing worthy or attractive about him as a person. He had nothing to offer David in return. He was crippled. And in his own eyes, he was nothing but a “dead dog.” He was so broken that there was absolutely nothing he could do to earn David’s favor or make the king look kindly upon him. And yet, he ate at David’s table!
Why, you might ask? It would have made sense for David to wipe out Saul’s entire lineage to get rid of rivals. But he had made a covenant with Jonathan to provide for his children. And so Mephibosheth was saved. I am struck by the parallels in this story to our own situation before God. There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God’s favor. And because of our sin and our rebellion we are so broken before God that there isn’t anything about us that is inherently worthy of his love or forgiveness. It makes sense for him to condemn and destroy us. But yet, that isn’t what he does. He has made a covenant with us – the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28) – whereby we are able, though we are hopeless and more spiritually lame than Mephibosheth ever was physically, to sit at the table of the Almighty King! Praise God!
PRAY: Take time again today to thank God for the incredible gift of his salvation – that even though we don’t deserve it he allows us to sit at his table. Also, spend some time thinking and praying about who in your life (maybe someone who you know feels particularly unworthy and broken) needs to hear this message. Ask God to open a door for you to share it with that person.
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