This week´s edition of our newsletter details God´s intervention in the life of a vulnerable person called Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth, though an heir, was forgotten by men, God still remembered him when his time was due.
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth” (2Sam 4:4).
Mephibosheth was not born lame or disabled, but he became one when he was a young boy. Disability or unfortunate situation do happen to both the born and the unborn. This explains why it is important to respect all persons irrespective of what they have or what they do not have. We should not disrespect people on the basis of who they are or who they are not in society. When people are referred to by their weaknesses, vulnerabilities or disabilities, it does violence to them. This was the situation of Mephibosheth. His name could not be mentioned without referring to his disability, as one could read from 2Sam 9:1, 3, 13. It is wise to address people appropriately with a sense of human dignity. How would you like to be treated if you were a physically challenged person?
It is believed that Mephibosheth had a feeling of disappointment, rejection and exclusion by virtue of his disability, but God still had good plans for him. We read from the scriptures that:
“… 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” (2Sam 9:3).
If David was able to remember the Lord´s oath between him and Jonathan (2Sam 21:7), we ought to understand that God is more righteous to remember His oath which says that “..he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5). We are always on His mind. As He told Abraham that He has sworn by Himself that He would bless him and make his name great, and that he would possess the gates of his enemies(Gen 22:15-17).
Patience; a requirement
What is required of us is our patience. Mephibosheth did not commit suicide because of his challenges. We need to endure and wait patiently on God. It is said that after Abraham had waited or endured patiently, he obtained the promise (Heb 6:13-16). Being descendants of Abraham, we inherit the promises God made to him (Gal 4:14).
Restitution
“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. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house” (2Sam 9:7-9).
All that Mephibosheth lost as an heir was restored unto Him by the king, and he was mandated to eat at the king´s table. God is making restitution for his children. He says “.. I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you” (Joe 2:25). When God´s time to act on your behalf comes, everything you have lost would be restored to you in hundred folds, with interest. When God remembered Job, He restored to him double of all that he had lost (Job 42:10).
God will restore to you your riches, your joy, your health, your marriage and children and your favor, as well as your anointing and all that pertain to you in due time.
Prayer: May God remember you and restore to you all that you have lost. May He lay a table before you, in the presence of your enemies, according to His word. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!