His Own Heart
It’s kind of interesting how we’ve developed this concept of knowing a person through their pictures, captions, opinions and strategically posted lifestyle. Some of us have felt so connected to these strangers that we’ve even given them mental titles like IG bestie. We open our app to see what they have to say and before we know it, they come engrafted into our lives. I myself, can relate to having done this in my younger years. As I’ve matured though, I’ve learned to apply this very concept to the Word of God. Connection. See, never do I recall opening a social app to acquire knowledge about a person but rather to connect with them in some form. Whether real life friends or like-minded strangers I’ve become fond of.
In this same way, when we open the Word of God, we shouldn’t do it to acquire head knowledge but heart knowledge. Simply put: The Word of God is the very heart of God. The Word reveals God’s heart in even the passages of scripture that don’t mention His name. The Bible is the primary way we get to know Him, His ways, His thoughts and His own heart. Refusing to open up the Word for yourself, is refusing the opportunity to personally and intimately know Him on a deeper level. But if we dare dive in with an open mind and an open heart, we’ll go from perceiving scripture as a book of do’s and don’ts to a book that reveals the love and redemption of God, displayed through the life of various biblical figures. Likewise, we see glimpses of ourselves in the Good book.
Recently, I got a glimpse of God’s heart through an account of King David; a man who is known to be a man after God’s own heart. And because of this, he often displayed the very heart of God. David was a king. God is King. David was strong and mighty in battle, yet compassionate. God is El Shaddai (God Almighty) but also refers to Himself as The God of Compassion. Today, we’ll look at how David, the earthly king, sought out a crippled man, to bring him in as if he were David’s own son. You know? The same way King Jesus sought out broken people like you and I to bring us into His family as adopted daughters of God.
2 Samuel 9 starts off with David having a desire to help any living family members from the lineage of deceased his best friend, Jonathan. What’s juicy about this is that the Jonathan’s dad, Saul was an enemy to David before his death and David preceded him as king. In verse 3, the king asks, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” When told that Jonathan had a son who was both alive and crippled (in both feet); David was determined to show “God’s kindness” and sent for Jonathan’s son; Mephibosheth. (Because I’m good for giving biblical figures nicknames, we’ll call him Mephib.)
6b “When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”
8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
I absolutely love Mephib’s response of humility in bowing “low to the ground in deep respect.” Remember, scripture described him as being lame in both feet, so bowing low would’ve been easy for the average Joe but a huge struggle for Mephib. It was a beautiful sacrifice of praise. One that we too, may be personally familiar with. Whether giving God a sacrifice of praise amidst physical affliction or emotional damage, it is beautiful in the sight of the Father as it was David… Delighted, David called Mephib by name. The whole name too! Immediately David exhibited the heart of God, speaking words that would restore Mephib’s crushed soul. The very words that our sweet Jesus speaks to the silence of our hearts in trying times. “Don’t be afraid.” I can’t tell you how many times I have told our Heavenly Father, “I’m scared but I trust You.” And He restores my soul. Every time.
I can’t imagine how Mephib, being handicapped and secluded from society must’ve felt in this moment. The king, seeking him out. With the sole purpose of kindness, restoration, relationship and identity. Another picture of the Father’s heart toward us. He is constantly restoring us to Himself that instead of guilt, shame or fear; we’re personally invited to enjoy relationship with Him. Though most of us have not experienced being lame in both feet; physical ailment is relatable. I am personally still in a season of recovery and it can get discouraging having no clue if or when full recovery will take place. For a bit, I allow my limitation to dilute my worth. That is… until the kindness of the Lord consumes me. He affirms me time and time again. The way King David affirmed Mephib, speaking life into him. David spoke of the restoration to come for Mephib. Everything that he’d lost; his fatherly figures, his livelihood, his identity and joy would all be recompensed by the king himself. And guess what.. Mephib’s restorative blessings were not hindered by his shortcoming! Because the blessings were no doing of Mephib to begin with. But all from the pure heart and kindness of his master.
When I have personal revelations like these, I find myself sobbingly asking God what Mephib asked David in verse 8. “Who am I, that you’d show such kindness…?” When we see who we really are against the backdrop of the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness and overall His nature; how could it not ignite humility? When we recall scriptures that reveal we were not choosers of God, but that He first chose us to be His own special possessions; how can we not be brought to a place of sober judgement toward ourselves? Sinners sought out by a Savior. Imperfect me being loved by the Perfect One. Despite our physical state or earthly family dynamic; we’re adopted into the family of a King. THE King. We reap the benefits of His Kingdom regardless of our past. And when we take hold of this life in Christ for real; our identity becomes hidden in Him. Daughters of a King.
Sis, we are not so different from Mephib. He was physically cripple as we possess brokenness. And David’s heart wasn’t so different from God’s. Now I can see why The Lord referred to David as a man after God’s own heart. I am just grateful that our gracious God chose to reveal His ways in His Word and through the life of those biblical figures. But don’t just leave it up to those we read about. Let’s be women who hide the Word of God in our heart and exemplify it in our own lives. Possessing the humility of Mephib and the compassionate concern of David. Seeking daily to be women after God’s own heart as we come to know it through His word!
In case you’re wondering how Meshpib’s story ends; let’s just say, “From that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.” Mephib’s crippled state may have not changed but he now possessed an even greater identity and a completely transformed life. A son to the king, invited to commune with him forever. An identity not just for Mephib but for you and I. That sweet, tender inclusiveness that we see David show to Mephib, is God’s sweet tender posture toward you! And the more you read with eyes that seek the Father’s heart in every scripture; the more you will know His heart for you.
“I would never have learned to walk with God on healthy feet had I not experienced sitting at His table as a cripple. My emotional and spiritual healing has come from approaching God in my handicapped state and believing I was His daughter and worthy of His love.”
-Beth Moore
Today, I encourage you to sit at God’s table, brokenness and all. And receive His beautiful restoration, everlasting love and acceptance as He conforms you to behold His image…and His own heart!
Lets Pray:
Father God, I thank You for Your Word that is not only solid truth but also displays Your heart. You are the God of compassion, mercy and grace. We will never be able to return the same measure of love that You flood us with. But Lord, help us to honor You by exemplifying Your heart and character to those around us. Help us to pursue more of You in Your Word and engrave Your holy Word in our hearts. Forgive us for the times we have dishonored You. We are Your daughters and You are our Father. We destroy every false perception we’ve had of You due to earthly father figures. We ask that You’d bring us into our full identity in Christ and transform our lives radically, as You did Mephib. Likewise, show us the impurities of our hearts and help us be women after Your own heart, like David. Driven by love and humility. Thank You Yahweh, that even in brokenness You seek to restore, revive and show us Your sweet kindness. You are so good. You’re so worthy. And because of that, so are we.. Your beloved daughters. In Jesus’s name, amen.
