May 5, 2009
MEPHIBOSHETH
Samuel 9 vs 11b-13: “Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's
sons. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate endlessly at the king's table,
even though he was crippled in both feet.”
2 Samuel 4:4 also says that at the age of five his father, Jonathan, David's
best friend, was killed in battle along with Jonathan's father, King Saul. To
add injury to insult, we are told that when Mephibosheth's nurse heard the news
of the murder of Jonathan and Saul, she panicked as she ran from harm's way. And
in her running, the nurse dropped the child - causing him to become crippled. So
the baby prince who was in the line of succession to the throne became a
crippled beggar living as an orphan in hiding. What should have been a life of
wealth became a life of misery, tragedy and heartbreak. (paraphrased DM)
Many reading this can relate to Mephibosheth's being a victim of sad
circumstance. Perhaps you can even testify to being victimized by other's
mistakes for yourself. Like Mephibosheth who trusted his nurse, some of us can
relate to being dropped by those in whom we've placed our trust. We're living
crippled lives because a person in whom we loved and gave our hearts to...has
dropped us.
JUST LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH WE KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE DROPPED BY SOMEONE OR
SOMETHING… …THAT WE'VE TRUSTED.
Some have been dropped:
By parents
By siblings
By school mates or teachers
By friends
By spouses
By what we would deem as life itself
The crippling effect of being dropped can be devastating and the results last a
long time. If we hold resentment, bitterness and un-forgiveness we can in effect
be the one who continues to “drop” ourselves because of our unwillingness to let
go of the past! For some of you, you are still suffering from the crippling
effects of those disappointments. Everyone has been "dropped" in some way. And
if you haven't, you will be. Some are still so proud in heart that they never
admit to any weakness and therefore shame those around them who stumble on their
way to the cross of redemption. It's no wonder that we are afraid to trust again
because we've been lied to or used as scapegoats for the escape of others who
hide their sins and egos behind loud opinions about how others should behave
or...might have done better in the way they have handled the things that have
happened in their life's journey!
MANY ARE AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES BECAUSE OF PAST FAILURES.
Many more are afraid to follow their heart because the plain idea of making one
more mistake sends shivers through them. Many think they can't handle another
anguish. Sometimes it feels as though we are hanging on by a fine thread. If God
is a merciful God, we wonder when we're going to start seeing the mercy. Our
words echo the psalmist as our soul cries out, "Lord, have mercy on me!" "Have
mercy on me, Lord"
BUT THE THING IS, THERE IS MERCY... ...IF YOU WILL SEE IT.
If you will allow that mercy to saturate your soul. If you'll see that you have
an important role to play in that mercy. In fact, "mercy" is really the only
reason that you and I are existing today, whether you know that or not. You are
here today because at some level - consciously or subconsciously - you know that
God has been and is merciful to you and you are expressing your appreciation for
that mercy. You are here today because you know that despite the hurts that have
been inflicted upon you, you want to trust, you want to go on, and you want to
find hope.
Today, I am here to tell you there is hope! A hope that delivers and heals! A
hope that takes away the pain from the memory! A hope to hope in, because of the
cross of Jesus and the love of God for you.
God is calling the dropped ones, the ones crippled by others and by actions of
themselves. God wants to breathe new life in you, to let you know you can trust
again, to live again and to get back what was taken from you.
There’s a place for you at the King’s table!
Come out of your pain, come out of your imaginations and strongholds. You don’t
have to fear, worry or doubt. God has done His part and the table of life is
ready and prepared for you.
I tell you now as Jesus said, to Lazarus,
“COME OUT” and live again!
God Bless You!
Darrel Mason
Back Calendar Next