Day 15- “Would he sit at your table?”
SCRIPTURE:
Mephibosheth…shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons - 2 Samuel 9:11
DEVOTION:
Would you have the grandson of someone who hates you and tried to kill you over and over again over for dinner? Would you put that person next to your own children? Would you serve them like one of your children? Would you look at his disability and think that it was God’s just reward on behalf of you to let the person’s grandson suffer such a deformity? Could you find it in your heart to move this person into your home and care for them like one of your children? Well guess what, David, the man after God’s own heart did just that. He saw Mephibosheth, who was King Saul’s grandson and Jonathon’s son, deformed and suffering and he felt compassion and love for him. He remembered that God had anointed Saul to be king and he also remembered how many times King Saul wanted to see him dead but David recognized that Mephibosheth was important to God and therefore, Mephibosheth was important to him.
REFLECTION & SHARING:
What would you do if someone who did you or your family really wrong, like caused their death or caused your family to be in a place of disadvantage because of their actions. How will you treat them? How would you treat them if they were at a point of disadvantage and you were in a way better place than they were? Something to think on….
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This is a tough question for me I will have to spend some more time meditating on this one. I know that if I saw a hurt person or person in need I works help them but if I found out that this person is related to a person that caused harm to a person I care for, I think a little part of me may feel like it is karma I will have to really pray on this one.
David’s actions toward Mephibosheth foreshadow Christ and His unmerited favor toward us.
But if I’m being honest, I don’t think I could have done what David did- not after experiencing deep grief and pain at someone’s hands. Extending that kind of grace? Absolutely not, PERIOD!!!
That’s why I admire my Aunt Melissa so much. I’ve watched her repeatedly demonstrate Christlike grace, even toward those who have hurt her deeply. Meanwhile, my response? Yeah… that couldn’t be me.
Yet, here David is modeling Christ’s love, showing grace to someone who once hurt him. What amazes me is that Mephibosheth referred to himself as a dog, fully aware of his unworthiness, knowing he didn’t deserve a place at the king’s table, let alone to be treated like a son.
This devotional hit me differently today because it’s a reminder that God is still working on me. If I’m being real, I wouldn’t extend that kind of grace to someone who caused me deep hurt especially not for something major. But David’s example challenges me to reflect on the kind of grace Christ has given me, even when I didn’t deserve it.
That is a heavy one.... I remember my daughter who was 18 and incarcerated at the time asked me what would I do if her boyfriend at the time walked into the Bible class I was teaching in the jail? Understand this, she was incarcerated because her boyfriend who was 17 at the time, had a knapsack of drugs in her car. Because it was her car and she was 18, she was facing 30 years in prison and he got off with a slap on his wrist because he was a minor. He never messed up to say the drugs was his or she knew nothing about it. Listen to me, it was a very difficult time in my life. My faith in Father was really tested. I would go to teach the word of God 4 times for the week in the jail where she was and she couldn't join to hear the word of God. Guess what, on my birthday, while teaching the word of God, he walked into the classroom. I would be lying to say, I was not taken back but my daughter's words echoed in my ear "Ma, what would you do if he walked into your classroom?". I must tell you that the Grace of God allowed me to teach him and even acknowledged his presence asking him questions to encourage his participation. I learnt on that day that while I believed in my heart that I hated this young man for the pain he caused my daughter, my family and me, Father showed me how to forgive. I never saw him again but when I think of him or mention him, I pray for him. Phew!!! What a time in my life!!! Thank you Lord for seeing me through.