An Underdog’s Healing

“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you. . . .” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

2 Samuel 9:7-8

MEPHIBOSHETH SAW HIMSELF not only as a dog, but as a dead dog. This was understandable, given the strikes against him. He was an orphan and the last survivor of a deposed dynasty. He had lost his family’s wealth and prestige. Even more, he was permanently crippled from a childhood accident. In a culture that often saw handicaps as a divine curse, it’s no wonder Mephibosheth held such a low opinion of himself. All the voices in his head whispered his unworthiness. The mental scripts he played and replayed made him nothing but a dead dog. It took a royal offer of indescribable grace to heal his broken sense of self and restore his royal identity.

King David summoned Mephibosheth with one simple goal in mind: to show him God’s kindness (2 Samuel 9:3). The Hebrew word for kindness, hesed, indicates freely given love and grace. The book of 2 Samuel teaches that if we want to know what God’s grace looks like, we can look at how David treats Mephibosheth.

What did that look like? (1) A summons out of nowhere, just as God called us when we were unworthy; (2) an unexpected embrace—like the father embracing the Prodigal Son; (3) a restoration of what was lost; and (4) a seat at the king’s table forever. Though God never healed Mephibosheth’s damaged body, He restored his broken soul.

BOTTOM LINE

When God saves us from sin, He delivers us from brokenness, as well. Are there areas of brokenness in your life that need the Father’s healing? Ask Him for it.

Moment of Strength: 2 Samuel 9:1-13