April 25
2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Chronicles 18:14-17; 1 Chronicles 6:16-30, 6:50-53; 6:31-48; 2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19
The world teaches us that children are dependent upon us parents until such an age after they are trained through us, through education, through experiences where they can become independent. Independence and success in every facet of life seems to be the desire. This is the world's formula, but not God's. Children are a gift to us by God. Our children truly are dependent upon us in those early years. But our desire should be for our children to move from dependence on us to dependence on God. Just as we offer nothing and deserve nothing as infants and children, it is wrong to ever consider how fortunate God is to have us as adults. Our worth is not wrapped up in our worldly statistics. It doesn't matter which schools we attended, what corporate ladder we might have climbed, etc. These can either be tools or distractions. The only thing that matters, is do you belong to Him, and are you abiding in Him. For without these two things we can accomplish nothing.
Whenever there is a regime change, generally the new king seeks out everyone from the prior family and eliminates them so that there would be no one left to seek the crown from the old regime. But we see the heart of David in 2 Samuel 9:1, "Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” We find that Jonathon still had a son who was lame in both feet, and as such, from a worldly standpoint, did not have much to offer anyone. But we see a beautiful picture of grace as he calls for Mephibosheth in 9:7-8, "So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”" So, Mephibosheth was called not because of anything that he actually had to offer the king. Once called, Mephibosheth's standing rested solely on his abiding with King David. Like to admit it or not we are just like Mephibosheth. Jesus clarifies this for us in John 15:5-8, " “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing...If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."
Mephibosheth was initially frightened because he misunderstood the intentions of King David. How often people have the wrong idea of God, thinking that he is angry and seeking to drop His fist on us. He loves us though we are so unlovable. He seeks us, though we have nothing to really offer Him. David wanted to bless Mephibosheth for Jonathon's sake, as God wants to bless us for Jesus' sake. Mephibosheth, though undeserving dined at the king's table. Likewise, we, though undeserving, if in Christ, will one day partake in the marriage feast of the Lamb, and dine at His table. In the meantime, though, we are citizens of heaven already, and messengers or ambassadors on earth. If we are to move forward in fellowship and communion with Christ, then we must remain attached to the Vine. We never learn so much and achieve so much that we venture out on our own independently. Our strength and our blessings rest in our union and dependence on Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: