Topic: Marred by an accident

Text: 2 Samuel 4:4

(Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

Being born into royalty is the desire of every man. This is a choice we do not get to make for  ourselves. God determines who our parents or grandparents would be. This particular detail would eventually influence our lives, whether we would be born into affluence, or into poverty. It would determine our genes, temperament and looks too.

In today\’s text, we are introduced to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the grandson of Saul, the first King of Israel. Everything in his life from his birth must have been planned out, he must have had many servants attending to his needs, he must have lived in comfort,eaten the best foods, especially his favourites and must have had the full attention of his parents, being the first son.

At the age of five, everything was normal, he had a bright future ahead of him, until the day adversity struck! He lost his father, and grandfather in one day. At his age, the implications did not sink in, all he knew was by the end of this particular day, there had been an accident. His nurse, who loved him was in a hurry to take him away to a safe place when he fell from her hands and even though she loving picked him up again, he could no longer feel his legs, stand on his own unaided, or walk by himself. He must have imagined this was just a temporary experience, but no, it was permanent! He was marred for life!

Whose fault was it? Your guess is as good as mine. Life happens to everyone, whether you are royalty or not. This was an accident with fatal consequences. He became crippled in his feet!

Accidents often leave us with fatal consequences, some physical some emotional and even financial. Some are privileged to have medical help early enough to correct or alleviate the consequences of the accident, but so many more people do not have that opportunity.  They are either confined to a wheelchair, or relocated to a place for special care. Mephibosheth was moved to Lodebar.

The physical wound caused by an accident is not the only wound we experience after such a fatal accident. The emotional wound though not visible to the eyes gives the individual a scar if not well attended to. Mephibosheth struggled with his identity after that accident. He could not qualify himself anymore, the throne had been taken and  most of his relatives were dead, all he had was royal blood and a fear that one day, those who killed them might want his life too.

 He had to hide and live discreetly without attracting attention to himself. He was still royalty, but he had the mindset of a pauper! Listen to what he said about himself… Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

What names have you called yourself? There are not your names! You may look like it, but that is not your true identity. That is what circumstances have made you become, that is what people may have called you, but today, l challenge you to call yourself by what the Potter had in mind when he made you, when he formed you. Do you know that you are not an accident? Look at this scripture in Romans 8:29-30, For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

You have been called a son of God, don’t shortchange yourself.

 Stop and think about the implications. Yes, your earthly father may not be here to fight for you or work out things in your favour but your heavenly father is here. He is the Potter!

Beloved, you are wondering “How could l have been in the Potter’s hand and all these happened to me”? “How can l be somebody again after becoming a nobody”? All things are possible with God! Stop worrying about the future, God has it covered!

God is the Potter! He can make something new with or without the scar. Mephibosheth had accepted his fate, and was comfortable living an ordinary life, he even had a son whose name was Mica, time had really passed, yet God was not finished with him. God still had him in mind!

God stirred up the heart of David to remember his covenant with Jonathan, that was the beginning of his restoration. He got back everything that rightfully beloved to him by birth, he sat on the King\’s table like one of his sons, his servants were restored to him, he came out of hiding and a  solitary lifestyle, he lived in the limelight again.

This God! What can you not do?

Amazing! After so many years God still turned things around for Mephibosheth, we are not told he did anything to earn the turnaround, someone did something that worked in his favor. Jonathan loved David, supported and protected him, long before Mephibosheth came into the picture. Jesus has also gone ahead of you, he was born , lived a perfect life and died on the Cross, so that if you believe in his name you can be a child of God.

 Only believe in his love for you, don’t doubt the love of God. Don’t worry about why the accident happened. Don’t even look for who to blame or punish for the times you suffered. Just look up to the Potter for a new beginning by faith!

It sounds simple, too good to be true, but that’s how it is. lt is called grace. God is so full of grace.

I invite you to the Potter’s house, worship him with this song if you know it, Majesty by Michael W.Smith

Majesty! Majesty! Your grace has found me just as l am, empty handed but alive in your hand. Majesty! Majesty! Forever l am changed by your love,  in the presence of your majesty.

Surrender your brokenness, your helplessness and fear. Embrace his love and grace, see your true identity, a new beginning! its beautiful, its glorious in Jesus name!

Congratulations!

I’d love to hear from you, if this devotional is helpful to your recovery. Send  an email to: Closinggapsko@gmail.com

Roses&Thorns