Page 39 - Livin Light Issue 81

Wednesday July 12 - The grace of the king
“I will restore to you all the land... and you will always eat at my table.”
2 Samuel 9:7
Mephibosheth’s amazing story moves on from the king’s promise to his kindness, his call and now to his grace. Mephibosheth had no idea why David had gone to such lengths to bring him back to Jerusalem after 18 years in the wilderness. He feared for his life; after all he had little to offer other than being King Saul’s grandson, which in itself bore negative merit.
You may feel lonely, hard-pressed, bereft of the ability or resources to break free, but know this – nothing is too difficult for God. David made clear his intention to keep the promise made to Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, to show kindness and restore everything the family had lost, giving Mephibosheth a permanent place at his table to eat alongside the king’s own sons.
This is grace, upon grace, upon grace – it goes way beyond amazing. Let’s take a moment to reflect. Isn’t this just what God has done for us – showing kindness, restoring everything lost through Adam’s fall and finally allowing us to eat at his table with his family? We, like Mephibosheth, have been adopted. Wow!
If you are yet to accept God’s invitation or are unsure where you stand, today it can all change. Please consider turning to page 54, where you will find a prayer of personal commitment. May God bless you.
Father God, I am lost in wonder, love and praise at the enormity of your grace. Please forgive me when I forget and take your grace for granted. Amen.
Thursday July 13 - The mercy of the king
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:8
Lack of self-worth is a blight to our generation, especially so among our children. It inhibits us from reaching our full potential. At the core is a wounded heart, giving birth to a false identity. Perhaps some of us are struggling in this way, not so much with the things around us but with the concealed thoughts and feelings in our hearts.
Mephibosheth could not have an audience with the king but for the king’s mercy. David had Saul’s grandson brought to Jerusalem. Mephibosheth stood filled with dread – would David exact revenge and kill him? He had absolutely nothing to offer, succinctly expressed in his self-assessment: ‘a dead dog like me’. Calling oneself a dog was bad enough, but a dead dog was extreme – to be someone devoid of any value. For Mephibosheth it had been that way for 18 years; born in a palace but now living as an unknown in a desert place. Every time his name was called – “Mephibosheth” (shameful thing) – it affirmed his lack of value. Was there any hope to be found?
He humbled himself before the king and laid bare his heart. God loves authentic people. Let us be honest with God, bowing in his presence, longing to hear his still small voice speaking truth. Hallelujah! “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This was Mephibosheth’s defining moment. Let’s follow suit!
My Lord, today I put aside all falsehood and throw myself upon your mercy. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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