Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "I Am Mephibosheth" for Sunday, 12 April 2015 - Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "I Am Mephibosheth" for Sunday, 12 April 2015 - Scripture: 2 Samuel 9: 1 David inquired, “Is there anyone still alive from the family of Sha’ul, to whom, for Y’honatan’s sake, I can show kindness?” 2 In Sha’ul’s household there had been a servant named Tziva, and they summoned him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Tziva?” and he answered, “At your service.” 3 The king said, “Is there anyone still alive from the family of Sha’ul, to whom I can show God’s grace?” Tziva said to the king, “There is still Y’honatan’s son with the lame legs.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” and Tziva answered, “He’s there in the house of Makhir the son of ‘Ammi’el, in Lo-D’var.” 5 King David sent and took him from the house of Makhir the son of ‘Ammi’el in Lo-D’var. 6 M’fivoshet the son of Y’honatan, the son of Sha’ul, came to David, fell on his face and prostrated himself. David said, “M’fivoshet!” and he answered, “Here is your servant!” 7 David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I am determined to be kind to you for the sake of Y’honatan your father. I will restore to you all the land of Sha’ul your [grand]father, and you will always eat at my table.” 8 He prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant that makes you pay such attention to a dead dog like me?” 9 The king called to Tziva, Sha’ul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given everything Sha’ul and his family owned to your master’s [grand]son. 10 You are to work the land for him, you, your sons and your slaves. Harvest the crops, so that your master’s [grand]son will have food to feed his family; but M’fivoshet your master’s [grand]son will always eat at my table.” Tziva had fifteen sons and twenty slaves. 11 Tziva said to the king, “Your servant will do everything my lord the king commands his servant, although M’fivoshet has been eating at my table as one of the king’s descendants.” 12 M’fivoshet had a young son whose name was Mikha. Everyone living in Tziva’s house was a servant of M’fivoshet. 13 But M’fivoshet lived in Yerushalayim; he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both legs.
Encourage one another and build each other up.[- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)]
After Jonathan died, David sought to show kindness to every member of Jonathan’s family. Thus, for the rest of his life he provided care for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who was lame.
In some ways, I am Mephibosheth. After being run over by a truck while bike riding, I underwent 18 surgeries, including amputations of all my toes. And like Mephibosheth, I was graced by a King with unmerited favor. God, our King, showed himself to me through Christians of a nearby church. During my six-month hospital stay, they visited me daily and prayed for me.
Unlike Mephibosheth, however, I eventually walked again. But at first, I was so weak that besides providing me with transportation to church, various members had to carry me into the building. Until I regained strength, their kind arms supported me.
Having Mephibosheth-like need, I had received David-like kindness. And now, with the Holy Spirit within me, I consider it a blessing to visit people in the hospital. I now understand that such kindness is an intrinsic part of a covenant with God, part of a pledge to share this saving grace.
The Author: Vanessa Bruce Ingold (California, USA)
Thought for the Day: When we receive God’s grace, we can extend it to others as well.
Prayer: Dear God, by your love’s strength, may we be willing to extend your arms of never-ending grace. Amen.
Prayer focus: Those Recovering From Automobile Accidents

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