And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth, 2 Samuel 4:4.
Mephibosheth was maimed in his walk. He was only five years old when this tragic event happened to him. I’m sure he could not completely understand the gravity of what was happening due to his tender age.
His grandfather, King Saul, and his father, Jonathan, are dead, and instead of being able to mourn the loss of his family, his nurse, in a horrified frenzy, scoops him up in her arms to flee eminent danger and death. They were fleeing for their life.
I cannot imagine what this little boy had to endure; the grief one carries after losing a parent and grandparent is enough to send anyone into a dark and lonely place, and on top of always looking over your shoulder, seeing if someone is coming to kill you, you are now lame on your feet. Your life has changed forever.
Was he angry at his nurse? Did he grow up with bitterness toward this woman who saved his life, but left him scarred and deficient? We can only speculate by the lens of our personal emotions, but putting myself in his shoes, I know growing up without my family and without the ability to walk would make me question a lot of things and make me angry.
When We Are Like Mephibosheth
There are many of us, like Mephibosheth, who have a handicap due to experiences we have endured; whether it is self-inflicted pain or pain we have endured at the hands of someone else. We could be damaged physically, like Mephibosheth, emotionally, or spiritually.
There may be some Mephibosheth’s reading this today who have been carrying the weight of shame and regret, but there is hope for you today. You’ve carried the grievances of your family or your sin and it has weighed you down.
If the church is supposed to be a hospital, then we should be able to show our wounds, and brokenness, and aches and pains. Even Jesus when asked, “What are these wounds in your hands? He one day answer, “I was wounded in the house of my friends,” Zechariah 13:6.
Maybe you haven’t received the love you should have, or the care you should have, or the support you deserve, but today, there is a place for you in the arms of Jesus.
Do not think for one moment that your limitation will prevent God from doing something amazing in your life; He is the Master Potter, and He can create something new in your life today.
Regardless the battles you have fought or are fighting and regardless of other people’s perception of you, or the perception you have of yourself, I want you to know that God moves beyond the sphere of your inabilities and insecurities; God can change your life around.
Prayer: Lord, I bring every life experience that has left me broken to you. I desire you to carry me in your loving arms and bring healing in my life. I pray that you will show me the plans you have for my life. When I am weak, then I can be strong by leaning and depending on you. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me. I trust in You.
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