Mephibosheth -- Part 4

"The Dead Dog"

    The history of Mephibosheth subsequent to King David's bestowal of grace is very interesting. His servant Ziba would lie to David about Mephibosheth, telling the king that Mephibosheth desired to restore the kingdom to the lineage of Saul (II Samuel 16:3).  David would ultimately confront Mephibosheth about Ziba's claim, but would be convinced by the lame man of Ziba's deception (II Samuel 19:24-29).  Mephibosheth then casts himself upon the mercy of David with the same "I am but a dead dog" attitude he expressed when first blessed by the king:

    "He (Ziba) 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.  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?" (II Samuel 19:27-28).

    Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are exalted by grace infinitely more than Mephibosheth.  The affirmations of Scripture regarding both our present and future place at God's table fill the pages of the New Testament (an excellent and necessary study, by the way, for every Christian).  Nevertheless, deep in our hearts there will always be a place for the "dead dog" sensibility.  We do well to frequently remember from whence we came, and whence we would have gone had it not been for the merciful grace of our blessed Savior.  "From dust to glory, what a Story!", as I once heard a preacher say.  But even more, from sinful, condemned dust to glory...

    Our Heavenly Father would doubtless not have us dwell on the shame from which He delivered us.  But the dead dog must remain with us, at least in this lifetime when we are so tempted to pride and self importance.  As with Mephibosheth, and far more, grace unexpectedly and undeservedly redeems us to untold favor and abundance.  Our brother's heart from long ago brightly shines through the ages to illuminate our our own hearts and minds as we seek to remember our own lameness.  But even more, we recall the indescribable bestowal of grace by the One who gave Himself to the horror of the cross in order to transform dead dogs into sons and daughters seated at the royal table forevermore.

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am chief."

(I Timothy 1:15)