It’s Covered
Daily Old Testament Reading: Psalm 50; 1 Chronicels 18; 2 Samuel 9
Daily Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 9
In 2 Samuel 9, David remembers the promise and covenant between him and Jonathan. Jonathan was Saul’s son, and he knew that David would become the next king. This fact meant that Jonathan would face death because he was the next in line behind his father, Saul. David assumed the throne after the death of Saul and Jonathan. While taking the throne, David put to death anyone from Saul’s line that could have the right to claim the throne. After some time, the Bible tells us that David remembered his agreement with Jonathan and sought to fulfill his promise. This fulfillment occurs in the crippled son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth. The engagement between David and Mephibosheth models grace and mercy and reminds us that our crippledness is covered when we enter as part of the king’s family.
THE DESPERATE STATE OF BROKENNESS
Mephibosheth lived in a state of being forgotten. When asked if anyone from the house of Saul still lived, the servant Ziba just mentioned his brokenness. David did not remember any remaining offspring. He had forgotten of Mephibosheth’s existence. As a result, Mephibosheth is no one of the significant individuals.
The servant did not mention Mephibosheth’s name; instead, he identified Mephibosheth by his brokenness. He was known for his state of being broken, and as a result, he was looked down upon. The concept reveals that the people saw him as unworthy to be in the presence of a king because he was plagued with crippled feet.
Mephibosheth was hopeless. As the grandson of Saul, Mephibosheth lived in a hopeless state. Once upon a time, he had a line that led to the throne. Now he lived in exile and fear because of David’s rule. His once bright future had been clouded, and he lived in hopeless fear.
Mephibosheth is not alone. Often we have moments when we feel forgotten, or we become identified by our flaws. When the world seems to be against us, we tend to live in a state of hopelessness and sometimes even fear. Yet, in this story, we find that these feelings exist because of the world, but God looks deeper and offers restoration.
THE OFFERING OF HEALING
David knows Mephibosheth by name. Ziba knew Mephibosheth by his condition, but David called him by name when Mephibosheth approached David in humility. Like David, the Lord does not forget us or our name. He knows us by name and calls us by name. The world may define us by our brokenness, but God calls us by our name.
David offers Mephibosheth restoration. David informed Mephibosheth that he would restore Saul’s land to him as the heir. He restored his property and gave him the resources to tend to the land. The restoration occurred as a gift from the king, not an earned reward. David initiated the restoration because of his previous covenant.
David offers Mephibosheth peace and provision. David offers Mephibosheth a seat at the king’s table. This might seem like a small gift, but the significance must never be overlooked. The offering of a seat invited Mephibosheth to join the family. The seat meant that Mephibosheth was given peace and provision. He would never face the pain of hiding from David again and always have food to eat.
The Lord, as King, offers healing and invites us to join him at his table. At the table, we no longer remain identified in our sin, but now we become recognized as a part of God’s family. At the King’s table, we have our brokenness covered by the Lord’s garment of righteousness. We join the family and gain the hope that comes from the promise and work of Christ. In Christ, we find that the linen of righteousness covers our brokenness and rebellion. If you are a child of God, do not fall prey to the lies about your identity from the evil one; instead, remember that you have a seat at the King’s table and that your brokenness is handled. Remember, it’s covered.
