Dining With the King

“’Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’” 2 Samuel 9:7

King David had shared an everlasting friendship with Jonathan, son of King Saul. Both King Saul and Jonathan were killed in war at which point David was granted the throne through the demand of the public. Many years later when David was at the greatest peak of power he asked the question ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’ He was told that Jonathan had a son who was crippled in both feet but lived on the outskirts of the kingdom as most ‘disabled and diseased’ people lived. David called for Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth whom was terrified to approach the king for fear of losing his life.
Instead he was given this beautiful promise from the King because of his relationship with his father, Jonathan. He was promised restoration, financial blessings and lifetime security. In addition to these gifts he was promised fellowship by the invitation to always eat at the King’s table.

What was true in this story is true in our own lives. God seeks and pursues each of His children whether we are healthy and whole or sick and broken. Because of God’s love for Christ we are held in high esteem as the siblings of Christ. He searches the outskirts to bring us in His fold and bestow new life and new blessings upon us healing us emotionally, spiritually, or physically. We will never go hungry for He has a place at His table for all to dine no matter what shape we are in. The key is our bond with Christ and through that fellowship we can come to the table with ‘crippling’ circumstances and know that we will be welcome.
Mephibosheth had a heart of humility as he approached the king realizing the awesome invitation which had been extended. His response? ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’ He realized that as he bowed before the king that he had been granted a new life through that life-changing invitation. Our King is calling for us too and may we have a humble awareness of the life that He is providing through the fellowship with Christ.

“Is there anyone left out there to whom God’s kindness may be shown?”