Page Three: “Mephibosheth: Responding To God” – 4/22/2012
“Everyone who has deeply walked with God knows that humility is the foundation that you build your spiritual life on. True humility comes from seeking the interests of God before your own. Humility comes in no longer living for yourself, but in letting Jesus Christ
live His life in you. True humility is this. A truly humble person is content in all situations. He doesn’t notice if he is being praised or blamed, and isn’t always weighing if what is being said to him, or about him, is to his advantage. A humble person allows himself to be led by the LORD Jesus. Whether God lifts you up or lets you remain unknown, the glory is still all His.” [From The Seeking Heart by Fenelon p. 158].
Look with me at chapter 19 and verse 24 and see this man’s humility in the conversation he had with David on the day of his return to the palace. II Samuel 19:24. II Samuel 19:24 “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
(25) And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
(26) And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
(27) And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
(28) For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?”
You all know what a sonnet is, right? Here’s one by a Doctor John Celes that might help. It topic is the power of humility. Dr. Celes is a medical doctor and a poet from the country of India.
“The man with pride does things all on his own,
And uses influence and clout en way;
He pays such hefty sums as payment down,
For getting something done on any day!
The humble man does whatever he can
And leaves the rest to God to whom he prays;
He knows all things cannot be done by man;
Impossible things happen as God says!
The former wins life’s game very early,
But Time deprives him of all things he gets;
The latter struggles till the last dearly;
But triumphs clearly despite umptine debts!
The humble heart is exalted by God;
The proud person is bestowed divine rod!”
[Found on www.poemhunter.com]
Someone has wisely commented that “humility is the secret to personal success.” Just ask yourself one question if you don’t believe this. Would you rather be around an arrogant person or a person who expresses humility?
When you add up all the quote injustices done to Mephibosheth, you come away with, not an angry man with a chip on his shoulder because things haven’t worked out well for him. Instead, you find a man who is willing to let God work out His will upon him.
Here’s a review of Mephibosheth’s life.
1. He was born in the palace. By all rights, he should have been the next in line to reign.
2. Both his father and his grandfather died in the same day at the same place.
3. Mephibosheth became an orphan at the age of five. The Bible tells us absolutely nothing about his mother. But we do know exactly who took care of this little five year old boy after his dad died.
4. Also at the age of five, Mephibosheth falls and breaks both of his legs, leaving him lame for life.
5. He isn’t even considered for a position in the palace. An entirely different family comes to power, the family of King David.
6. His own servant, Ziba, lies about him.
7. David, because of Ziba’s lie, gives all of Mephibosheth’s property to him (Ziba).
8. When offered to have his property and possessions restored to him, he declines with these words (27) “And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.”
live His life in you. True humility is this. A truly humble person is content in all situations. He doesn’t notice if he is being praised or blamed, and isn’t always weighing if what is being said to him, or about him, is to his advantage. A humble person allows himself to be led by the LORD Jesus. Whether God lifts you up or lets you remain unknown, the glory is still all His.” [From The Seeking Heart by Fenelon p. 158].
Look with me at chapter 19 and verse 24 and see this man’s humility in the conversation he had with David on the day of his return to the palace. II Samuel 19:24. II Samuel 19:24 “And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
(25) And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
(26) And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
(27) And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
(28) For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?”
You all know what a sonnet is, right? Here’s one by a Doctor John Celes that might help. It topic is the power of humility. Dr. Celes is a medical doctor and a poet from the country of India.
“The man with pride does things all on his own,
And uses influence and clout en way;
He pays such hefty sums as payment down,
For getting something done on any day!
The humble man does whatever he can
And leaves the rest to God to whom he prays;
He knows all things cannot be done by man;
Impossible things happen as God says!
The former wins life’s game very early,
But Time deprives him of all things he gets;
The latter struggles till the last dearly;
But triumphs clearly despite umptine debts!
The humble heart is exalted by God;
The proud person is bestowed divine rod!”
[Found on www.poemhunter.com]
Someone has wisely commented that “humility is the secret to personal success.” Just ask yourself one question if you don’t believe this. Would you rather be around an arrogant person or a person who expresses humility?
When you add up all the quote injustices done to Mephibosheth, you come away with, not an angry man with a chip on his shoulder because things haven’t worked out well for him. Instead, you find a man who is willing to let God work out His will upon him.
Here’s a review of Mephibosheth’s life.
1. He was born in the palace. By all rights, he should have been the next in line to reign.
2. Both his father and his grandfather died in the same day at the same place.
3. Mephibosheth became an orphan at the age of five. The Bible tells us absolutely nothing about his mother. But we do know exactly who took care of this little five year old boy after his dad died.
4. Also at the age of five, Mephibosheth falls and breaks both of his legs, leaving him lame for life.
5. He isn’t even considered for a position in the palace. An entirely different family comes to power, the family of King David.
6. His own servant, Ziba, lies about him.
7. David, because of Ziba’s lie, gives all of Mephibosheth’s property to him (Ziba).
8. When offered to have his property and possessions restored to him, he declines with these words (27) “And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.”