A FORGOTTEN MAN
His grandfather was king! His father was a prince! He had all the trappings of royalty. As a child, he had a nurse; and as he grew, no doubt, a servant. Now he is a forgotten man. His grandfather and father are both dead and there is a new and different king. He is lame from a fall when he was five years old and now languishing away in another’s home, with no hope of ever being in-line for the throne. This man’s name is Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:2; 16:1-4; 19:24-30; 21:7).
No one wants to be forgotten. However, it may be that he is glad to be forgotten, because of fear that his life may be in jeopardy because of the wickedness of his grandfather. Do you think Mephibosheth was ever discouraged? Originally his name was “Mirab Baal” meaning “Opponent of Baal” but now it is Mephibosheth meaning “Son of shame.”
There is one statement that changes the entire scenario. From rags to riches! From the bottom to the top! From languishing to flourishing! That statement is, “That I may show the kindness of God unto him…” (2 Sam. 9:3). Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. David searched him out and brought him to his house and said, “He shall eat at my table, as one of the kings sons” (2 Sam. 9:11). Some lessons:
One. There may be periods in our lives when we think we’ve been forgotten. We see oth-ers, who seemingly are prospering, while we do without. Wait! God says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Two. Never give up! In the fourth quarter of playoff game between Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. Seattle was down 19-7 but came back to win the game 28-22 in overtime. Perhaps Mephiboseth thought “my life sucks, I’ll just give up.” The next thing you know he’s at the kings table. “Be not weary in well doing” (Gal. 6:9).
Three. All of us are Mephibosheths’ until we are shown, “the kindness of God.” Through Jesus Christ and the grace of God, we are all have the opportunity, by obedience, to sit at the kings table (Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14). We sing the song, “All things are ready, come to the feast! Come for the table now is spread; Ye famishing, ye weary, come, And thou shalt be richly fed.” No, we are not forgotten!
Larry