"Now Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was crippled in both feet. His name was Mephibosheth. He was five years old when the news came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan were dead. Mephibosheth's nurse picked him up and ran away.
But as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled."
2 Samuel 4:4
"Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, came before David and bowed facedown on the floor.
David said, "Mephibosheth!"
Mephibosheth said, "I am your servant."
David said to him, :"Don't be afraid. I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul. And you will always be able to eat at my table."
...so Mephibosheth ate at the David's table like one of the king's sons
"....Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. He lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king's table."
2 Samuel 9: 6-7; 11, 13 International Children's Bible
"Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet.
He lived in Jersusalem and always ate at the king's table."
2 Samuel 9:13
What a beautiful picture of God's grace intersecting with human need.
Mephibosheth had a need.
In the midst of one tragedy, another had occurred
a young man bore the effects of this the rest of his life
It limited and restricted him
and made it impossible for him to provide for himself or take care of others
What about in my life where there is genuine weakness and need?
not as the result of any sin
and not taken away or healed in this life
the state of his feet never changed
the rest of his life
But he was invited to live in full provision and privilege
not because of anything he had done, would do, or even could ever do
not because of who he was
but because of his relationship with another "kindness for Jonathan's sake"
He lived the rest of his days
cared for
provided for
treated with honor, respect and dignity
included in this community
at every meal, a place at the table, just for him
It was always there
A fresh meal
delicious and nourishing
prepared for him
served to him
Oh Lord, thank you
How to live when there is genuine need and weakness
the kind that does not change or improve with time
that you do not take away or heal in this present time
is to feast at your table
I am invited because of your Son
I have a place there because of who He is and what He has done
I can have a relationship with Him and be a part of this family because of His great love
Every day
Several times a day
You have prepared what I need
to replenish
to nourish
to refresh
to provide and bless and delight
It is there by no merit or effort of my own
provided by the bounty of another
Let me come
Let me be brought to you
to feast
to commune
to find all that I need in you
Help me to not stay away
to not shut you out in my pain, fear or shame
but to believe,
to come
to receive
to enjoy
to bless you
Like all good things, fine dining does take time
it cannot be rushed
there is no drive thru for the soul
that is all that is required of me
not to miss the nourishment you have prepared
to soak my soul in your presence
in your words
the funny thing about my physical body is that even after a wonderfully rich and full meal,
in a few hours, I am hungry again
what has been given has been processed and put to use
In times when the need is persistent and intense
I need to come to bare my soul to you often
to receive all that you have prepared
to drink it all in
to the last drop
not to do this is to be crushed and to despair
the meals prepared for Mephiboseth were rich and frequent
multiple times a day
day by day
Praise you, I will never weary you
coming to you often and repeated
being filled by you
drinking deep of your love and grace
quieted and calmed by your beauty and power
Praise you Lord
"Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
Mathew 11:28
"On that day Jerusalem will be told, 'Don't be afraid, city of Jerusalem.
Don't be discouraged that you can't do anything.
The Lord your God is with you.
The mighty One will save you.
The Lord will be happy with you.
You will rest in his love.
He will sing and be joyful about you.'"
Zephaniah 3:16b-17 International Children's Bible
"David said to him, :"Don't be afraid. I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake.
I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul.
And you will always be able to eat at my table."
...so Mephibosheth ate at the David's table like one of the king's sons
"....Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet.
He lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king's table."
2 Samuel 9: 7, 11, 13
related verses:
"I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But the Lord said to me, 'My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, then my power is made perfect in you.'"
2 Corinthians 12 8-9a
"Christ died for us while we were still weak.
We were living against God,
but at the right time, Christ died for us.
Very few people will die to save the life of someone else.
Although perhaps for a good man someone might possibly die.
But Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
In this way God shows his great love for us.
We have been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death."
Romans 5 :6-9a
"The Lord says, "All you who are thirsty, come and drink.
Those of you who do not have money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk.
You don't need money: it will cost you nothing.
Why spend your money on something that is not real food?
Why work for something that doesn't really satisfy you?
Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the food that satisfies your soul.
Come so me and listen.
Listen to me so you may live forever."
Isaiah 55:1-3
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