The Story of Mephibosheth (Part III)

2nd Sam 9:3 NIV) The king asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"

This morning we continue our series: "Victory over Stress!" Last week I introduced you to Mephibosheth and his tragic story. We left off with Mephibosheth bowing before David, before the throne that he was once an heir to, not being able to mentally wrap his head around the words king David was saying. The king said, "Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." Mephibosheth clearly understood the power of the king's throne. Unlike a president or prime minister, David had no checks-and-balances. Since Kings are elected there is no tie to external pressures for administration. Presidents and prime ministers govern, kings rule; and there is a big difference. Kings cannot be impeached, they have absolute authority, and their word is final! Once king David said that the land was Mephibosheth's, then it was, from that very moment; no bureaucracy to wade through. You would have thought that Mephibosheth would have been ecstatic. But his response was: "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

Mephibosheth was so beaten-down by the events of his life that he could not receive what king David was saying. It is often hard for us to receive what we cannot perceive. Mephibosheth could not understand why the king would do such a thing. In Mephibosheth's eyes he had done nothing to deserve such a blessing. While he may have been born royalty, by this stage of his life Mephibosheth saw himself as a nobody going nowhere, surrounded by nobodies going nowhere in Lo-Debar (a barren place). The key issue here is that Mephibosheth actually did not do anything at all to deserve what king David was offering him. David was showing Mephibosheth kindness because of the covenant he had made with his father Jonathan.

In 1st Samuel 20 we see the friendship between David and Jonathan so strong that they established a covenant. The Bible basically says: (Jonathan) "I am going to find out how my father feels about you. If he is OK with you, I will let you know, but if he wants to kill you, then I will also let you know and give you INTEL on his plans. Let's establish a covenant between you and I to treat each other with the faithful love of the LORD as long I live. But if I die, treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.

Jonathan loved David as he loved himself." Jonathan's words were somewhat prophetic. It's almost like he knew he was going to die, that his father was also going to die, and that David would become the next king. So he was saying, "Hey David, when you become the king, after you deal with all your enemies, please don't forget my family." And that's exactly how it played out. As soon as David was firmly established and his primary enemies were out of the way, he was ready to do something about the Covenant that he established with Jonathan!

So what does this mean to you? Two things:
1. God shows you kindness because of the covenant: The Father sent His Son to die in your stead and He is committed to releasing His blessing over every person who accepts His Son as Lord. Once you accept Jesus you can walk in the blessing; not because of what you did, but because of what Jesus did! So accept God's goodness, don't worry about being unworthy, because the Father is not blessing you based upon you, He is doing so based upon the covenant!
2. Our God is a King: Understanding the Jehovah is king and not a president or prime minister is key, because it means He does not have any checks or balances. His Word is final; one Word from God can change your life forever. So accept His Words, receive them with a believing heart, repeat them from faith-filled lips, and walk in His best today!

Father, I thank You for Your goodness. You are exceptionally good and although there have been times where I could not receive Your goodness, because I could not understand why You wanted to be so good to me, I now understand that You want to shower me with Your blessing BECAUSE of Jesus! I have accepted Your Son as my Lord and therefore You accept me in Your bosom and You release Your blessing. One Word from You can turn any seemingly hopeless situation around. Today I will receive that Word. I look to You as my light, my strength, my fortress, my strong tower, my guide, and my life! As You speak to me, I listen. As I hear Your words I receive them with a believing heart, I repeat them with faith-filled lips, and I get to experience Your best life now; walking in love (not selfishness) and light (not darkness). In Jesus' name. Amen!