Because of Him, We Live

2 Samuel 9:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

For Meditation

Imagine the day Ziba broke the news of King David’s invitation to Mephibosheth in Lo Debar (2 Samuel 9:1-8). The city’s name signified a rebellious place with no leader or shepherd, without order or pasture, and barren—not a place for anybody to desire to live. Such was the spiritual condition of the city where the disabled son of Jonathan lived, cut off from the richness of the land his grandfather once ruled. I can see his surprise.

“Who, me?”

“Yes, you, Mephibosheth. King David has thrown a banquet and every prominent person in the nation has gathered in Jerusalem. They will not sit down to dine until you join them at his table. Hurry up; for we can’t keep his Majesty waiting,” Ziba said.

Over in the palace at Jerusalem, the king’s children, generals, and dignitaries waited for the dinner to start. Their appetites mounting as they waited for this person, without whom dinner would not begin. “Who is he?” General Joab asked Absalom.

The door swings open, and Ziba announces the entrance of Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, the king’s deceased best friend.

“What! Is this cripple the reason for our long wait?” Joab angrily asked Absalom.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”

“At your service,” he replied.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan … and you will always eat at my table” (2 Samuel 9:6-7).

The beauty of grace; how marvelous!

Mephibosheth bowed and said, “What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

Mephibosheth had fallen as a baby and become crippled in both feet and rendered undeserving to sit at the king’s table. He considered himself a dead dog. Still, David showed him royal kindness because of his father, Jonathan!

When we read Ephesians 2:8-9, let’s picture this scene and see ourselves in Mephibosheth—crippled in both feet, a wasted dead dog—but God noticed us and called us to Himself because of Christ Jesus. It is all grace! As Paul wrote to Titus:

At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-6)?

As recipients of this grace, can we show kindness to one another for the sake of Jesus? Can we share this love with a dying world because of what Christ has done for us?

Only our actions motivated by love for Christ will stand before Him in judgment.

Shalom

The Paradox of Abuse

1 Samuel 25:13

New International Version

David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

For Meditation

It is interesting how our experience affects our thinking and actions.

King Saul had pursued David with a large army that became his experience. So, when Nabal turned down his request, David raised four hundred vigorous men to go after a single household, much like King Saul had come against him. How ridiculous!

We may hate our childhood experiences to the core and do not wish it on anyone. Yet, we perpetuate the same behavior upon others under us in our adult life. In our stressful moments, we realize we are acting like our abusive parents, domineering friends, or wicked bosses.

Take the example of abused children. They turn out to be the worst abusers as adults. I have observed how the poor children who roam the streets of some Islamic countries, begging for their cruel Marabous—Koranic teachers—crave the authority of their masters and want to grow to become like them. Many of them grow to maintain the oppressive system they must work to dismantle.

When David felt offended by Nabal’s rejection, all reason left him. Godly counsel disappeared, and the only thing he could call on was his cruel experience with King Saul—to raise a large army to obliterate a small household because of a perceived offense by one person. That is where Jabez becomes a role model for every child of God (1 Chron 4:9-11).

Jabez had a terrible childhood experience and hated it. He prayed to God to keep him from all trouble and pain (10), and God granted his request. The Holy Spirit calls Him more honorable than his brothers (9).

Maybe you are living the life of someone by close association and hate it. I pray the Lord to make you be like Jabez, and by the grace He accords you, avoid the situation of David when Nabal provoked him.

The Nabal Mentality

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1 Samuel 25:10-11

New Living Translation

“Who is this fellow David?” Nabal sneered to the young men. “Who does this son of Jesse think he is? There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I’ve slaughtered for my shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?”

For Meditation

It was a simple matter and decision for Nabal.

He was shearing his sheep, and David had sent a ten-member delegation to appeal to his kindness for some provision so he and his men could share the joy of Nabal (1 Sam 25:4-9). For David and his team, who had protected his flock in the wilderness near Carmel, Nabal could have given a generous portion to them with a thank you note. What were a few loaves of bread, some wine, some portion of slaughtered sheep, some roasted grain, a few clusters of raisins, and some fig cakes to Nabal? He was wealthy and could afford to be generous on that festive day. But no! Nabal chose the road of rejection and abuse, sending the messengers back with nothing. His actions portrayed his character and the meaning of his name—a fool (25). Only the quick response and wise decision of Abigail, his wife, saved him and his household from the fury and carnage of David (23-35).

Nabal’s problem could have been the fear of Saul’s retribution, noting the example of the priests of Nob (22:1-18). He boasted and taunted David and showed no spiritual sensitivity. Privy of God’s anointing of David as king of Israel, his conquest of Goliath, and his successes at war, Nabal could have acted with prudence as his wife did.

Nabal knew the rivalry between the king and David, but his carnality clouded his assessment of the situation. He reasoned that the one in authority would eventually win the day. David did not have a chance with Saul. The king would eventually get his way, and David would be no more. So, he staked his chances on the king and lost.

Nabal made a business decision in a spiritual matter. He never considered the providential hand of God at work behind the scenes. Isn’t that familiar today?

Many have become like Nabal and staked their lives on wealth, success, and fame—worldly over eternal treasures—over spiritual and eternal consideration in all life issues. They think science and modern inventions will always win the day, so God must take the backseat in their lives. How wrong they are, and how wise you will be to run from this deception and escape the trap that took the life of Nabal.

Nobody will lose by staking their life on Christ, our Eternal King and Lord. As David won over Saul, He will always win the day.

The Vineyard and You

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Mark 12:7

New International Version

“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

For Meditation

These words spoken by the tenants in the parable Jesus spoke against the religious leaders of Israel (Mk. 12:1-12) remind me of the story of Joseph when his brothers saw him in the distance, and they plotted to kill him. Out of extreme hatred and a desire to remove Joseph so they could have all that their father had, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer! …Come now, let’s kill him … [and] see what comes out of his dreams” (Gen. 37:19-21). And figuratively, they killed Joseph, the one who would save their lives and many others in Egypt (50:20).

In the Parable of the Tenants (Mk. 12:1-12), the religious leaders of Israel, who represent the tenant farmers, knew Jesus had spoken against them. Their forebears had beaten and killed many of the prophets God sent to tend His vineyard, Israel (Isa. 5:7). God had finally sent His only Son, hoping they would recognize in Him, the Messiah they expected, and yield authority to Him. Despite John the Baptist’s testimony, the heavenly voice that proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God (Matt. 3:17), and the overwhelming evidence from Jesus’s ministry, the Pharisees and other leaders determined to kill Him. Jesus gave them the verdict (9) before they followed through with their plot a few days later on Calvary. 

In AD 70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, the vineyard. The temple, sacrificial system, priesthood, Sanhedrin—the heart of Judaism—was no more. In its place stood the church of Christ after His resurrection, and the new tenants are all who believe in His name and yield their lives to Him. 

Mark tells us the religious leaders saw themselves as the target of the parable, yet they went away and did what their hearts desired. Can anyone who is unrepentant of their hostilities against God and does not surrender to Jesus blame God for their place in hell? 

The good news for everyone who desires after heaven is this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).

Therefore, all who declare Jesus as Lord and wholeheartedly believe God raised him from the dead will receive salvation for their souls. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rm. 10:9-10, 13). 

The choice is in your bosom today.