2 Samuel 9:8
‘Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”’
I'm not sure if Mephibosheth did anything significant, but he was loved by David. He is an interesting character. He was the grandson of Saul, which makes him unsympathetic. He was also a cripple, which means he was less than in his day. This was partially why he has a low view of self. His name is weird. Yet, David takes him in and treats him like a son.
Mephibosheth is a type of us. We also are less than. Worse than that we were in our sin and on a hopeless path. God sees us with loving eyes. He sent His Son to die for us. His hand is reached out all day long, hoping we will take it (Romans 10:21).
I would guess that Mephibosheth felt real uncomfortable for a while at dinner. However, I would think that he settled in. He would add to the conversation. Use his humor and feel like part of the family.
This is how we are in Christ. We feel awkward at first. We almost feel, "What's the catch?" or "Now that you've got me, what do You want?" But, in time, we begin to relax. We begin to step out in confidence and try things. Some may still see us as less than and despise us for being confident. That's ok, for God loves us. Just as a parent rejoices to see their child take baby steps, so He rejoices in our attempts. We learn to ignore the voice of the crowd, and hear His voice.
What a loving God we have. He doesn't need us. He could be more efficient by using angels or doing it Himself. But He wants to use us. An army of misfits beating the greatest the world has to offer. I Corinthians 1:27 says, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."
God highly values humility. He is humble. He chose to have His Son born where animals stay. He invited shepherds to be witnesses to this. These are low paid blue collar workers who probably drank to drown their sorrows. He was raised in a poor area which had a bad reputation. He avoided the rich and powerful, unless they were hungry for the truth. Entering Jerusalem on a donkey seems humble. A white horse would have been more stately.
The beatitudes seem to be to the humble, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God", "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled", "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted", "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth", "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy", "Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".
God is humble and reaches out to the humble. If people aren't humble, He seeks to make them that way. The humble are open to Him. The arrogant and the rich are not. He uses life's circumstances to open them up. We all become Mephibosheths needing him.
As we receive God, He heals us and wants us to be as David and assist the lowly. We are to take them in and be a blessing. We all have different gifts in which we help. Lord, thank You that You want to use us in this way.
Lord, thank You for this story. We all need You and You seek to save us and lift us up. Thank You. Help us to be as David and help others. You are a good God.