“And the king said, ‘Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul, so I can show the kindness of God to him?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘Jonathan has yet a son who is lame in his feet.’” 2Samuel 9:3
I wallpapered a world map on our family room wall. We pinned family photos over the countries we visited. We strung yarn along our travel routes. Geography and social science lessons flowed easily. So did my prayers.
I knelt for hours in front of the map praying through the 10/40 window. I paced from end-to-end decreeing and declaring for the nations where the gospel is restricted or banned. Tenderly, I petitioned for the persecuted and imprisoned saints.
That’s been years ago now. We have moved from that house. Compared to that earlier fervor, my prayer life today is lame. My limping prayer life is what accentuated this story from 2 Samuel to me.
King David had finally become king of all Israel. Usually, kings of that time would kill all male relatives of the former king to prevent usurpers to the throne. Instead, King David searched out someone from King Saul’s family to shower with loving-kindness, far beyond what was expected.
David found a son of Jonathan. Before we are even told his name, we are told that he is lame in his feet. Why? Feet are a metaphor for our walk. The Holy Spirit wanted us to know that his walk is lame. There is good news and a warning in his story.
King David called Mephibosheth, the lame one, to himself. Once he came into the kingdom, King David restored his inheritance, blessing him abundantly with land and fruit and servants. He also gave Mephibosheth a place at his table. In other words, the king invited him into intimacy, adopting him as his own son.
King David is a type or a foreshadow of King Jesus. Like David, our King Jesus searched us out and showered us with His loving-kindness. He called us to Himself. He restored our inheritance and blessed us abundantly with fruitfulness (John 10:10). Because of Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family. We have privileged intimacy with Him.
There is a warning here. Even after years at the King’s table, Mephibosheth couldn’t or wouldn’t follow King David when he was forced out of the city (see 2 Samuel 19). Consequently, he lost his inheritance again. Later, he claimed he was deceived by his servant who had been asked to bring a donkey because Mephibosheth was too lame to walk.
After years in the Kingdom of heaven, feasting at the Lord’s table, are we still too lame to walk on our own? Are we easily deceived so that we don’t follow Him as we should?
The good news in this story is that Mephibosheth never lost his seat at King David’s table, and David returned half his inheritance. Even if our walk with the Lord is lame, even if we don’t follow Him as we should, we still have a place in His Kingdom (John 6:37). I thank God that nothing can jeopardize my place at His table.
However, I want to inherit ALL that God have for me. Since I am struggling to spend time in prayer at home, I have joined opportunities at my church for prayer and intercession. I am using the body of Christ to encourage me to continue in doing good.
How about you? Where are you lame in your walk? How can you use the body of Christ to strengthen and encourage you?
Lord, Strengthen my feet! I want to follow You, even during in the tough times. Amen.