It’s the last day of January and WOW it has felt like the never ending month. One of my goals for the new year was having daily time with God, and I am happy to say I have been thoroughly enjoying my early morning time to read the bible, pray and just be in God’s presence before my day begins. So, I am going to close out this month by sharing a relatable passage of scripture that has been wrecking me for a couple of weeks. I actually just shared it with my husband earlier today.
I have been reading about King David in 1 & 2 Samuel for at least a month now if not longer, and I seriously dream about what a heart to heart over coffee would be like with him. He fascinates me so much. He is passionate, a worshipper, a lover of God, a brilliant military leader, anointed king, flawed and sinful, yet humble. I would love to pick his brain, but I guess the Psalms will do for now.
Of all the amazing stories throughout David’s life there is one story I cannot get out of my head in 2 Samuel chapter 9. It’s a beautiful story of redemption. At this point David had been made king, there were many military victories, David settled in Jerusalem and there was finally peace in Israel. It is then that David remembers his covenant with his best friend and son of Saul, Jonathan, and decided to inquire about any living relatives of his. An old servant of Saul tells David that Jonathan has a son, Mephibosheth, and that he has been in hiding since age 5 when Saul and Jonathan died. The place he resides is called “Lo Debar” meaning “Land of Nothing.” He is also lame in his feet because when his father and grandfather were killed in battle, the nurse caring for him fled quickly with him and in doing so dropped or trampled him, causing him to become injured. The reason for fleeing was because when a king is killed or defeated, often times the next reigning king will order all living descendants to be killed in order to prevent any threats to the throne. So after years of being in hiding David orders that Meshibosheth go be retrieved and brought to the palace.
So let’s break this down:
As a result of Saul’s sin, he dies in battle, and all of his sons die along with him, including Jonathan.
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, is in the lineage of a king (Saul), but the king is defeated and is replaced by David.
Mephibosheth loses all rights and inheritances of earthly royalty.
As a result of all of the above, Mephibosheth becomes permanently lame while fleeing for his life.
Mephibosheth lives for years in hiding fearing for his life in a place literally named “Land of Nothing.”
I don’t know about you but I have all the feels for Mephibosheth. He was an innocent 5 year old who in 1 day loses his father, grandfather, his ability to walk and use his feet, and all the comforts he has ever known. I have a 5 year old son and I am certain he would be absolutely traumatized by all of the above.
Then, not only that, but as a grown man he has absolutely nothing to show for his life. He has no sense of worth, doesn’t work, doesn’t have community, doesn’t own his own land or home. He is a recluse hiding out, just getting by, hoping it doesn’t even get out that he exists because he is sure that will mean his persecution. He is like Jack Pearson’s Brother Nicky who’s been living in a dingy trailer for 40 years, while the whole world thinks he died in Vietnam. (Where are my This Is Us fans at? Also, sorry if you’re not up to date on the storyline, but get on that!) Its not a pretty picture. Honestly, I look at Mephibosheth and see the lies the enemies tries so hard to paper mache over my own identity: pain, disgrace, insignificance, fear, sin, generational sin, worthlessness, broken beyond repair. It’s heart wrenchingly sad, yet relatable.
One thing I have loved discovering about David is how he is a foreshadow and foretelling of Jesus over and over again. He enters this particular situation and turns the lights on, peels the paper mache off, rewrites the identity of this man, and gives us a glimpse into God’s heart.
So, Meshibosheth shows up to the palace thinking this is it, this is how it’s going to end after years of being a nothing, I am going to die a nothing at the hand of this king. But that’s not how the story goes. I’m going to quote it here because it’s too good not to:
David spoke his name: “Mephibosheth.” “Yes sir?” “Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.” Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?” David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet.” 2 Samuel 9:7-10, 13 MSG
(Gaaaaaah. There’s hope for you, Nick Pearson! Ok, back to the story…)
David accepted Meshibosheth just as he was (still lame), and invited him into his presence, spoke his name, then invited him to sit at his table. David redeemed the sin and brokenness of the previous generations by restoring the blessing and god given inheritance of it, the way only a king could. He took Meshibosheth in and treated him as a son because he honored the covenant he made with Jonathan.
God does this very thing with us. He accepts us just as we are. He invites us into His presence, calls us by our names, looks into our eyes and asks us to sit with Him at his table. He heals our sin and brokenness, pours out blessings we don’t deserve, and He treats us as sons and daughters. Just as David made a covenant with Jonathan to show kindness to all his descendants, so God makes a covenant with us through Jesus and his death and resurrection on the cross. All who accept Jesus and his sacrifice enter into this covenant and find the healing, mercy, kindness and redemption of a good God and good father. Just as Mephibosheth found and undeserved, yet welcomed, spot at the king’s table and home, so we find an undeserved yet welcomed spot at God’s table and home.
I reread this chapter a few times because I was so overcome with gratefulness for God’s nature. He isn’t vindictive or ready to punish. He is ready, willing, and waiting to lavish love on His children. Praying for you today; if anything is keeping you from living your life to the fullest, keeping you afraid or doubting what you’re worth, keeping you from finding your true identity in God, or even questioning or resisting His love, I pray you encounter this kind Father today and feel a sense of freedom and belonging like never before.
– Melissa
