And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Sam. 9:3-7)
David sought to keep his promise to Jonathan to show kindness to his family after David became king. He sought the descendants of Jonathan and only Mephibosheth remains. Mephibosheth had gone and hid himself for fear of what David might do to the lineage of Saul. Once David convinced Mephibosheth to present himself and that David only meant to do good unto the descendants for Jonathan’s sake, David set Mephibosheth up in his house and he stayed with David the rest of his days.
Thought Saul had tried to remove David on many occasions as he perceived him as a threat, Jonathan had understood the will of God and given his loyalty to David. In response David had promised Jonathan not to take out his family in retaliation but to be kind and merciful to the family of Jonathan. Though others had taken out members of Saul’s lineage, David sought Mephibosheth and restored his land as well as brought him to his own house and at his table. David did not fear Saul’s family for he knew that his place in the kingdom was of God and God would take care of him. He also wanted to keep his promise as a promise not only to Jonathan but also unto God and his restoration of Mephibosheth was his way of keeping his word and protecting the family of Jonathan.
Just as Saul opposed David but Jonathan was loyal, we may have those who oppose us at one level and others in the same family who at least do not work to frustrate our ministry. We are to take each person and each situation for what it is and show God’s love to all with respect and forgiveness, just as God forgave us. We must understand that though people often persecute us, our real battle is not with them but with the forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. We are to show kindness and mercy to all who may oppose us and our God that they may see our good works and glorify our Father even as they disagree with the Gospel and God’s Word. If we use the world’s ways and the devil’s methods, we become just like them and God is not honored in the fight we are in. He has given us rest in Him and we, as David did, can show God’s love to those around us, whether they oppose us or whether they agree with us. Our interaction with those around us is supposed to reflect our God and His righteousness that we may through His power reach the lost, teach all nations, and preach His Word, until whosoever will repent and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary may come to God on His terms and be born again. Everything else we do, missions, ministry, and discipleship, is to be focused on the Gospel and His Work to grow His Kingdom and He will be glorified in all things by our obedience unto Him.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Thought Saul had tried to remove David on many occasions as he perceived him as a threat, Jonathan had understood the will of God and given his loyalty to David. In response David had promised Jonathan not to take out his family in retaliation but to be kind and merciful to the family of Jonathan. Though others had taken out members of Saul’s lineage, David sought Mephibosheth and restored his land as well as brought him to his own house and at his table. David did not fear Saul’s family for he knew that his place in the kingdom was of God and God would take care of him. He also wanted to keep his promise as a promise not only to Jonathan but also unto God and his restoration of Mephibosheth was his way of keeping his word and protecting the family of Jonathan.
Just as Saul opposed David but Jonathan was loyal, we may have those who oppose us at one level and others in the same family who at least do not work to frustrate our ministry. We are to take each person and each situation for what it is and show God’s love to all with respect and forgiveness, just as God forgave us. We must understand that though people often persecute us, our real battle is not with them but with the forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. We are to show kindness and mercy to all who may oppose us and our God that they may see our good works and glorify our Father even as they disagree with the Gospel and God’s Word. If we use the world’s ways and the devil’s methods, we become just like them and God is not honored in the fight we are in. He has given us rest in Him and we, as David did, can show God’s love to those around us, whether they oppose us or whether they agree with us. Our interaction with those around us is supposed to reflect our God and His righteousness that we may through His power reach the lost, teach all nations, and preach His Word, until whosoever will repent and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary may come to God on His terms and be born again. Everything else we do, missions, ministry, and discipleship, is to be focused on the Gospel and His Work to grow His Kingdom and He will be glorified in all things by our obedience unto Him.
While we are here, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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