At the Table - 2 Samuel 9
The life journal reading plan today included 2 Samuel 9 - an incredible picture of grace in the Old Testament and reminded me of something I wrote years ago in 2007 and wanted to add here:
The lyrics to a song remind me of a great pictute of grace in the Bible…first read these lyrics:
Bethany Dillon's "You Are On Our Side"
The orphan clings to Your hand. Singing the song of how he was found.
The widow rejoices for her oppressors are silenced now.
You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor.
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore.
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die.
Still, You sent Your Son for us. You are on our side.
The runaway falls at your feet. You are what he has searched for.
The rich man is broken, when he stands beneath a sky full of stars.
In 2 Samuel 9, King David, seeks out a man named Mephiboseth. And I know…who cares, I can't even pronounce his name, but let me back up here. See David had been constantly living with a threat on his life by a jealous power hungry King Saul. Saul's son Jonathan became David's best friend, practically a brother (1 Sam 18:1-3). They made an oath to each other to care for each other's family (1 Sam 20:14-17). So David seeked out any living family members from Jonathan and found his crippled son Mephiboseth after Saul and Jonathan were killed and David now reigned as King, by God's calling on his life.
Usually when a new line of kingship takes the throne, the previous king and his family are killed and eliminated from taking the throne again. Imagine Mephiboseth's fear as he prostrates himself before King David, whom he knew his grandfather Saul relentlessly saught to take his life due to jealousy. David had something else in mind - he brought Mephiboseth to be at his table and live with him as family. A crippled man at a King's table. Considered an invalid, no longer an heir to any throne being crippled; lack of any significance, worth, or royalty. But David because of his friendship with Jonathan and knowing the grace and mercy of God was able to extend it to those consider unworthy of such a gift. And Mephiboseth got his grandfather Saul's, David's enemy, land and became like a son to David. (2 Sam 9:11).
What an incredible picture, of king David, pursuing a crippled man, the grandson of his enemy Saul, but the son of a dear friend Jonathan, is welcomed to his table and made his son. This is our story. Because of Jesus, we too are able to sit as Jesus' table, broken and crippled and a mess. We inherit His land and become His children. Nothing by our own merit, but simply by the unconditional love of a Father! We are welcomed at the King's table!
As a crippled, we are immobilized to do anything. I am so glad to have this need for Jesus!
I am learning more and more how different we are. He is faithful; I am unfaithful.
He is just, honest, fair; I am partial. He is wholly devoted, unconditionally loving;
I am half-heartedly distracted who loves when it's convenient, comfortable and safe.
He is immovable, unshakeable; my faith is rocked at the slightest wind. He is selfless and giving; I am selfish and self-seeking. He has eternal perspective; I have material perspective.
God is not easily impressed with me, but "is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him" (John Piper).
May we extend such grace and mercy to those undeserving as we receive His grace and mercy to us who are so undeserving. I can only imagine a heart of gratitude Mephiboseth had all his day; I long to live out of that gratitude..."Oh for grace to trust Him more".
I am a cripple, at the King's table, thank you healer!
Posted in: on Monday, February 7, 2011 at
