2 Samuel 9
Making a Difference
As David continues to establish his kingdom he remembers the covenants he made with Jonathan and King Saul. David starts a search for anyone of Jonathan’s family that was still alive and found that there is a crippled son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth, living on the east side of the Jordan River in the area of Gilead next to Ammon. Mephibosheth is essentially living in exile, staying at the house of Machir.
In those days when a kingdom was taken by another king, everything the previous king had, including his wives, land, and possessions, became the property of the conquering king. Any remaining male family members were killed. David, however, remembers the covenants he has made and shows the mercy and grace of God. He not only returns all that belonged to Saul’s house to Mephibosheth, sets a place at his table for Mephibosheth, but he also gives him a permanent invitation to dine with the king. David’s actions here demonstrate why he is called a man after God’s heart. He is practicing his faith in a very practical way by going against the cultural norm and demonstrating through his actions the heart of God. Mephibosheth, having been sought out by the king, expects to be killed and called himself a dead dog, but instead he was blessed.
Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” KJV
Mephibosheth was born into the wrong family and the cultural norm was that he must die when a new king came into power. We were born wrong as well. We were born, crippled with a sin nature and it didn’t take us long to live according to that sin nature. We, like Mephibosheth, made our home away from God living in fear that one day we would be found out, but God came looking for us so He could extend grace, mercy, and peace. He wants to bless us and extend to us an invitation through His Son Jesus, to a place at His table in His kingdom.
David made a difference in the life of Mephibosheth. Jesus has made a difference as well. He has changed the cultural norm of death to the offer of new life in Him. Have you allowed Him to make that difference in your life by accepting His gift?
Grace, mercy, and peace to you.
Pastor Dave