January 13, 2009

An Act of Love

“Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?" And [there was] a servant of the house of Saul whose name [was] Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, "[Are] you Ziba?" And he said, "At your service!" Then the king said, "[Is] there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?" And Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan [who is] lame in [his] feet." So the king said to him, "Where [is] he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he [is] in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar." Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, "Mephibosheth?" And he answered, "Here is your servant!" So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." Then he bowed himself, and said, "What [is] your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?"” (2 Samuel 9:1-8 NKJV)

David loved Jonathan greatly and wanted to show kindness to his family. However, most of Saul’s relatives were killed. There was but one lame Mephibosheth left for David to honor.

Therefore, David sets up Jonathan’s son for the rest of his life. What a wonderful picture of the love of God. David shows Mephibosheth favor for Jonathan’s sake even though he never met him.

God loves us because of Christ. He does not find any good in us alone. However, because of His great and eternal love for the Son he loves us also.

Can you think of ways to show the love of God to others? A kind word or a word held at the right time might speak to a soul. Some time spent talking about the Scriptures could have a profound impact on others. Whatever opportunities God affords you, seek to share the love of God with others. One simple act of love might be the means that God uses to call a child into the kingdom. Amen.