Friday, May 2, 2008

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: II Samuel 9:1-13

PSALM OF THE WEEK: Psalm 3

HYMN OF THE DAY: CH#383 “Savior, Thy Dying Love” http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/t/sthydynl.htm

VERSE OF THE DAY: David asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1 NRSV

 

Mephibosheth (also called Merib-baal) is probably better remembered for having one of the hardest names to pronounce in the Bible than he is for being Jonathan’s son that was treated well by David.  David had promised Jonathan, son of Saul, that he would take care of him and be friends forever.  Jonathan was killed when his father was killed (see 1 Samuel 31).  David grieved deeply for his friend (see 2 Samuel 1).  Years later, David remembered Jonathan and wanted to do something for his family.  He discovered that one lone son had been saved, but crippled, in the retreat (see 2 Samuel 4:4) from David’s army.  David did return the kindness to Mephibosheth.  David kept his promise, as best as he could, to Jonathan.  As king, he could have killed the last heir to a rival kingship line (see 2 Samuel 3:2), but he treated Mephibosheth royally instead.  Too often, when people have a chance to return evil for evil, they fall to that temptation.  David was better than that in this case.  We should be too.

 

PRAYER: O God who will judge us all, help me to live up to my promises of good and forget the chances to repay the bad.  I want to be your living example of love and forgiveness always. Amen.

 

See you in Church Sunday,

Pastor Sandy

 

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