To become like Mephibosheth
Seeing a friend in a wheel chair doesn't inspire me to lose the use of my legs. But this passage makes me wonder if not having my full capabilities is as much a hinderance as it is an advantage.
Mephibosheth had no other response to David than to submit. His physical strength was gone, his family power was abolished and now he was only able to depend on the grace that David showed him. The rest of his life he was dependent on David, to provide his physical needs, protection and his life.
There are two level of understanding for me. First, David's friendship with Jonathan was enduring. Jonathan's dead and David wants to honor his friend by finding anyone of his relatives still alive and provide for him. Second, this relative was a potential threat to David's kingship as so extinguishing him would be the normal monarchial strategy. David as a god-like figure not only spares this young man's life but does something irrational, he ensures his survival for his natural life. Why?
David's life, hard as it was gained a clarity of God's character. His actions are a clear reflection of grace, getting what we don't deserve.
I am forever stunned by God's actions toward me and forever struggling to allow that grace to flow thru me to others. Father I long to be free from the self protection that exist in me when people become threats. I long to live in constant awareness of your favor which you have bestowed on me. It is that love takes to a place where I discover life the way you long for me to live it.
Created over 2 years ago
