Perfect in Weakness

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet. 2 Samuel 9:13 KJV

The richness and fullness of the Gospel, the GOOD News, is so poignant in this historical account of King David's kindness to a son of his beloved friend Jonathan.

Helplessness is not a trait admired by the world, and sadly, not much by the Church, but without it, we may have no part in the Kingdom of God, for time and again, He uses the "weak to put the strong to shame" (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Indeed, the humble king who is returning as King of kings says most emphatically, "unless you become as little children, you will miss My kingdom" (Matthew 18:3, emphasis mine).

The name Mephibosheth means "destroying shame," and he was found in Lo-Davar (literally, "the place of no promise") when King David sent for him.

The exiled son of a deposed prince had no cause to expect mercy, yet he found not only mercy, but grace...he was adopted as one of the kings own sons and as such, reinstated to the title of prince and in fellowship with the very king who had every legal right to have Mephibosheth executed.

It's a lovely and true historical account, but also a prophetic illustration of our condition and story - not only before receiving King Jesus as our Saviour, but ever after.

Always. Ever after.

FEU.
Dieu d’Abraham, Dieu d’Isaac, Dieu de Jacob,
non des philosophes et des savants.
Certitude, certitude, sentiment, joie, paix.
Dieu de Jésus‑Christ.
Deum meum et Deum vestrum.
...Joie, joie, joie, pleurs de joie... 
Jésus‑Christ...  
Je m’en suis séparé.

Translation:

FIRE. 
God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of philosophers and scholars. Certitude, heartfelt joy, peace. 
God of Jesus Christ.
My God and your God.
...Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy...
Jesus Christ... 
May I never be separated from him.  
- Blaise Pascal

C.S. Lewis likened sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to "one beggar showing another where to find bread," and how amazing it is that when we receive such mercy from the King - when we know that we have a place at His table, He empowers us by this gracious knowledge to be such grace-givers and life-speakers. 

He uses the weak to confound the mighty.

I will never forget, in the not-so-distant past, visiting a local church that had a guest speaker whom I'd never met or heard of before. This dear man had a body suffering the ravages of MS and was recovering broken ribs from a recent fall, but he had such a loveliness to him - a fragrance of having been with Jesus.

After speaking, he had us bow our heads in prayer, and there with my head bowed, feeling quite invisible, I heard a gentle

"Tap, shuffle, tap, shuffle."

Aided by his cane, this precious pastor slowly made his way down the aisle.

Even though my eyes were closed and my head was bowed, I held my breath...somehow I just knew...

Then I felt a warm hand on my lowered head, and a gentle fatherly blessing,

Don't be afraid. Everything is going to be okay.

And you know, I would have taken those words less to heart had they not come from the lips of one who "dined at the king's table...and was lame in both his feet."

Thus saith the Lord , Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord .
Jeremiah 9:23‭-‬24 KJV

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