2 Samuel – Chapter 9

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet. 2 Samuel 9:13 – While the story we see unfold in this chapter doesn’t seem too outrageous to us, especially considering the heart of David, it would have seemed that way to those in David’s day. The custom in this time whenever a new ruler came to power was to massacre any who were connected to the previous ruler. For David to not do this, and to instead seek out Saul’s family to show God’s kindness to them, this was a unique move by David. When reading this passage we can certainly glean some lessons on how we ought to treat others. To show love to those who culture says not to, to seek out opportunities to show kindness, and to keep our promises even when no one would know if we didn’t. Yet in the grander picture of life, we aren’t the “David” in this story showing the kindness, we are “Mephiosheth.” Remember because of sin we were cast out of the kingdom, hiding from the King as Adam and Eve did, worried death was going to come our way if we ever were found by the King. Yet instead of death, our King Jesus sought us out, found us, saved us, and has sat us at His table to enjoy His food forever with Him. This honor shouldn’t be ours, but it is because of the King’s love for us. Remember then because of Christ you are no longer in the slums of sin eating the scraps of satan. You are seated at the King’s table forever enjoying the fullness of what He has to offer, all because of Jesus. Now that we have been granted such kindness, let’s seek to demonstrate that level of kindness to others. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3028

2 Samuel 9 Daily DEVO And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7 – As we have progressed through 1&2 Samuel, we’ve seen many admirable qualities of David, and today, we’re seeing another one of those qualities unfold. David had all that right reasons to go back on his word to Saul. David promised Saul that he would take care and remember Saul’s household when he came into power. No one though would have blamed him for not keeping that promise after all that Saul did to him. David though not only kept his word but sought out Saul’s family and pursued ways to help them. Yet where David got his example of this level of honesty is where we can get our example from to. God never goes back on His Word. While we have given Him every reason and excuse to not, He has chosen to stay true to us with His promises. My encouragement to you is remember that God will never fail on His promises to you and also to follow in the footsteps of David of keeping your word always. As we settle our lives on that God will never go back on His Word to us, we can find the strength and freedom to keep true to our word as well even if it’s tough. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 440

And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 2 Samuel 9:8 – If you didn’t read the story attached to this verse, here’s a summary. King David is seeking to find someone from Jonathan’s family to show kindness to. He hears that his close friend Jonathon had a son so David brings that son close to him, gives him land, let’s him eat at his table, and honors him as a grandson of a king and a son of a prince. All that compassion though contradicted how Jonathan’s son saw himself; we see that in our verse. That contradiction though should be what we are all about. We should be in the work of changing how people see themselves. Life, our enemy, and even ourselves can be our biggest deceivers in what we believe about ourself. So many lies can be spoken and we take them to heart. Like that we aren’t wanted, we’re worthless, we’re ugly, we’re of no help to anyone, and God doesn’t love us. Lie after lie that can be held as firm truths in our story and we then seen ourselves accordingly. If you can relate to what I just said, know the person around you can as well. They have been listening to lies and living under such lies. We then need to be actively seeking out ways to remind them who they truly are in Christ. Loved, seen, wanted, chosen, child. Worth dying for. Dwell today on how you can be a part of tearing down those lies and reminding the truth. Be a name changer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1868