One of my favorite stories is found in Samuel 9. It’s the story of Mephibosheth and how he came to have a place at the Kings table. But to really understand the story, you have to read 1 Samuel 18-20, which begins right after David kills Goliath.
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own life. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, even his sword, his bow, and his girdle.
1 Samuel 18:3-4 AMPC
And Jonathan told David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and yours forever. And Jonathan arose and departed into the city.
1 Samuel 20:42 AMPC
Of course, there is a lot more that happened before we get to Mephibosheth’s part of the story, but it would not have happened if it were not for the covenant between Jonathan and David. Because of it, David was required to show covenant kindness to Jonathan’s son, but I think perhaps love drove him even more.
David said to him, Fear not, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father [grandfather], and you shall eat at my table always. And [the cripple] bowed himself and said, What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?
2 Samuel 9:7-8 AMPC
Isn’t that something? He called himself a dead dog… but David didn’t even respond to that — it seems like he ignored it. He just proceeds to declare his plans to bless Mephibosheth and his household, to restore what was lost, to make provision for him and his family.
It makes me think of Jesus. He is the King of all Kings, and yet he gave his life — his body and his blood to establish a covenant that cannot be broken for us, for all who will believe. Through that covenant we are forgiven, redeemed, restored to relationship with God. He calls us his children, he adopts us into his family. We truly have a place at The King’s table.
We don’t deserve it anymore than Mephibosheth did. Nevertheless, it is freely offered by the God of our Lord Jesus, the Father of mercy, who is full of grace, and who is love.
So the next time the enemy says you or I are not good enough, unworthy, don’t do enough… Let’s remind him that it’s not about me or you. It’s about Jesus and what he did. We can’t/didn’t earn it. We are adopted members of God’s family, and Jesus is our Lord. Then praise God and read this verse:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
Psalm 23:5-6 AMPC
Just picture yourself, whatever is going on around you, choosing to stay seated at that table, at rest in His care. God is always with you. He has prepared that table for you with everything that you need. Look to Jesus, keep your eyes on Him. He is the author and finisher — start to finish of our faith. Oh how He loves you and me!
A Grateful Grace-full Life 