Mephibosheth.

He was clothed as royalty.  His bloodline had been in command for generations.  As a young child, there was no way he could have anticipated that his life would change so drastically in a matter of moments.  But it did.  In a desperate attempt to flee for his life, he fell.  The Bible doesn't detail his injuries, but it does state that the fall left him crippled for the rest of his life.  

Imagine being born into wealth, into privilege, into importance.  Then imagine having all of that ripped from you.  Imagine once being powerful and then being powerless.  Imagine people fearing you and then imagine people mocking you.  Imagine the sting he must have felt, the bitterness that must have resided in the depths of his gut, when he realized all he had lost.  Why had he been dealt such a bad hand?  Why had life offered him nothing more than this?

I first encountered Mephibosheth in 2010 and I instantly felt a connection.  That may seem weird to you; he's been dead for thousands of years and I've never met him personally.  But when I discovered his story in 2 Samuel, I could totally relate.  This man must have felt cheated, crippled, and worthless.  And, ironically, those were some of the same words I would have used to describe myself at the time.  

However, you already know my story.  I'm here to tell you Mephibosheth's. 

He was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul.  In the proper order of things, he was fully entitled to the throne because of his genetics.  But when we are introduced to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4, we learn that he is crippled from a young age.  The kingdom was overthrown and eventually, David became the king of the land while Mephibosheth lost everything.  At this point, I'm sure it seemed like all hope was lost.  I'm sure Mephibosheth had simply accepted that this was the way his life was going to be. 

But God likes to work behind the scenes, in ways that we can't even begin to imagine.

In 1 Samuel 20, before Mephibosheth came into the picture and before David became king, a covenant was made between two friends: a covenant in which David basically promised to bless the household of Jonathan and to bless his family.  Because he was the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth was covered in that covenant even if he didn't realize it.

Fast forward to 2 Samuel 9.  David is now king and, as he basks in the glory that once belonged to his dear friend Jonathan, he recalls the covenant he once made.  He inquires if there are any members left of Jonathan's household, fully intent on delivering what he promised to deliver all those years ago.  Once he is told of Mephibosheth and his survival, David asks to see him immediately. 

When Mephibosheth arrives, he is humble and insecure before the throne.  One might expect him to react with anger and bitterness at seeing someone else occupy the life he must have felt he was robbed of.  But after years of dealing with his disability, he has let insecurity settle in his spirit.  Verse 8 of the same chapter illustrates exactly what Mephibosheth thinks of himself.  He is broken and, despite his royal lineage, he feels unworthy to even be in the presence of the king.

Have you ever felt like that?  Have you ever felt like you're unworthy to be in the presence of the King?  Regardless of whether you're a child of God or not, regardless of being covered by His blood, have you ever felt so broken that you didn't even want God Himself to look upon you?

I have.  And Mephibosheth has, too.  But here's the happily ever after: David called Mephibosheth based on the covenant he made with Jonathan, and he had full intentions of keeping his word.  Despite Mephibosheth's insecurities and fears, David blessed him.  He gave him all of Saul's land and possessions.  He even ordered others to work the land for him while he reaped the benefits!  And all Mephibosheth was asked to do was dine at the table with the king.  

Much like the covenant between Jonathan and David, God has made a covenant with us through the blood of Christ.  And He has full intentions of keeping His word.  You may be emotionally, spiritually, or even physically crippled.  You may feel like you've been robbed of a great life.  You may be broken beyond words, feeling as if you haven't exhaled a single breath that makes you worthy of existence.  But the King will still keep His word.  He calls you to dine with Him so that He can bless you beyond what you deserve.  Because it's not about what you deserve; it's about what He has promised.  

Mephibosheth's blessing didn't come overnight.  In fact, the Bible states that he had a son at the time that David blessed him.  That indiciates that numerous years had passed since his accident, since everything felt like it was being ripped away from him.  But even after he must have lost hope, God was still working behind the scenes.  Just as He's doing for you.  I pray that you find comfort in the story of Mephibosheth as I have, and that you realize the calling of your King to dine with Him.  I pray that you answer that calling and receive the great blessings He has in store for you.