Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Faithful Kindness that restores

Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 9: 1-13

Key Verse Vs 3

The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” (2 Samuel 9:3)” 
 
DEVOTION

In the bible, as we read about David & Jonathan, we realize they are more than best friends - they are like brothers and fiercely loyal to each other. Jonathan protected David from his father, King Saul and after Jonathan was killed, David returned the kindness shown to him by Jonathan by taking care of Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. 
The interaction between David & Mephibosheth happens to be one of the greatest examples of God’s kindness and mercy as demonstrated through David. When we read this passage, we can picture David as God the Father, Jonathan as the Son, Jesus Christ and Mephibosheth as ourselves. The kindness that David shows Mephibosheth is beyond grace and compassion. David is actively seeking out anyone from Saul’s family whom he can take care of for the kindness Jonathan showed him. That is when he learns of Mephibosheth who, though he is from royal lineage, is crippled in both legs and lives in exile under the mercy of Makir son Ammiel. David brings Mephibosheth to the palace, gives him all the land that belonged to his grandfather, assigns servants and gives him a place at the King’s table. Mephibosheth, overwhelmed by David’s kindness, wonders how a crippled man as himself could be worthy of such grace and mercy. 
We are very much like Mephibosheth in many ways. We are crippled by many things such as fear, greed, our selfish desires and ambitions, and we find ourselves in an isolated place away from the grace of God. However, we need to know that our Father is actively seeking us and is looking to restore us with His glory and place us at His table. This is not because we are worthy or because of our achievements but because of our Father’s love for His Son, Jesus Christ. Mephibosheth was restored with what was rightfully his and given a place at King David’s table because of David’s love for Jonathan and so we have a rightful place by the Father through Christ our Lord.  

PRAYER

 Dear Lord, you know us fully - our deepest desires, our strengths and our weaknesses. We stray away from your presence quite often but You still seek us and bring us back into your fold. We thank you for Your abundant mercies and grace that sustain us as we continue our journey in this world. Restore us with Your Glory and continue to keep us by Your side. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The only true test of loyalty is fidelity in the face of ruin and despair — Eric Felten.


Susan Cherian Varghese
Epiphany MTC, New York

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