Thursday, August 17th
Devotional written by Pastor Steve Day, Care Pastor
LOVING THOSE OTHERS OVERLOOK
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.
2 Samuel 9:12
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The entire chapter of 2 Samuel 9 is about David’s kindness to the house of Saul. In 2 Samuel 7, David asks, “What can I do for God?” As we know, he proposes to build a temple for the Lord. And, of course, God continues to work in his life, and he begins to ask the question, “What can I do for others?”
Saul made himself an enemy of David. When David took over the dynasty, it would have been expected for him to massacre everyone connected to Saul’s movement. David did not offer revenge but asked what he could do for his enemy’s family. He asked, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” (2 Sam. 9:1)
Out of the “kindness of God,” David gifts the land back to Saul’s family. He provides workers to farm the land and care for Mephibosheth (Saul’s grandson) and his family. David didn’t seek revenge on his enemies. Mephibosheth no longer had to live in fear and poverty but lived openly among the people of God.
I feel like I was hiding from the realities of my life and fearful of their outcomes before I found the kindness and grace of God. Do you feel that way? We were separated from God because of our sins. We were separated from God because we didn’t know Him. He could have just sent us to hell, but He pursued us before we pursued Him. God’s LOVING KINDNESS – His MERCY – His amazing GRACE and FAITHFULNESS, have been poured out on our lives. It is because He has loved us that we are compelled to reach out to those in need.
David’s grace to Mephibosheth should be our pattern in serving others. We should seek to pray for and bless our enemies. We should be aware and empathize with the poor, weak, and isolated. This is such an important piece of living and loving like Jesus. Let me encourage you to be an extension and expression of God’s loving-kindness.
Reflection: Create a list of people in your sphere of influence; neighbors, business associates, family members, and even those you might call enemies. When you stop and consider their lives, I bet you’ll begin to notice ways you can reach out with the kindness of God.
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