The Restoration

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 9:7 (NIV)

Children are the innocent victims of  so much suffering resulting from the devastation of wars. It reminds me of this Old Testament story about a young handicapped orphan, and how God changed his destiny, giving him new life, hope and restoration. 

Mephibosheth was a healthy little boy, born into the royal family of King Saul. He was the grandson of King Saul, and the son of Jonathan, David’s closest friend. The little boy became crippled from a fall at five years old, and during a war, his entire royal family was killed, leaving him as a disabled orphan. The enemy confiscated any wealth or lands that were his by inheritance, so that he was not only handicapped and orphaned, but homeless as well. 

A family friend took Mephibosheth into their home, in a city called Lodebar. It was a place of desolation after the war, and the very word, Lodebar, translates to mean “Nothing”. So he was literally living in the land of “Nothing” as a nobody, who went from being a royal prince to a disabled pauper. It all happened through a series of events that the little boy had no control of. 

Anyone who has ever lost their health, a loved one, a home, their income or even their sense of self worth, can probably relate to the misfortune of this young boy. We probably all know someone who desperately needs some type of restoration, whether it be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or financial. 

Mephibosheth was completely helpless and left with nothing, but the Lord is fully attentive to the prayers of the destitute, and would later turn the little boy’s destiny around for the good.  (Psalm 102:17)

Eight years later, after David became king and freed his nation from their enemies, a period of peace was in the land. David wanted to show kindness to any surviving relative of his beloved friend, Jonathan, so he sent out a search party to find any surviving relatives. Mephibosheth was found in Lodebar, and brought to the king’s palace. 

King David adopted him as his own son, and restored all the lands of his inheritance. He lived in the royal palace, and his dignity was restored as he dined at the king’s table with the king’s children, for the remainder of his life. He went from prince to pauper, but was restored to royal prince again, adopted by King David.

God is our King, who searches for all those who feel like they are living in the land of Nothing, as a nobody. He has prepared a place for His children in His heavenly kingdom, seating us at His table, as His own adopted sons and daughters.

He has also given us a purpose to fulfill here and now, by being a part of His search party to find all those who feel like nobodies living in a land of Nothing. We are to go out on the highways and the byways, and bring dignity to others, inviting them to God’s kingdom, as His sons and daughters. Whatever they have lost, is restored by becoming joint heirs with His son, Jesus Christ. 

(Romans 8:17)

King David had compassion on Jonathan’s boy, Mephibosheth, and he saw great worth in him as a person. Jesus, who is called the Son of David, sees great worth in each of us, looking beyond our flaws and shortcomings. He restores our dignity, baptizes us into His family, and then calls us by His name-Christians.

God is always looking for ways to show His kindness to us, since His very nature is to restore and show mercy, asking, “How may I show My kindness to you?“  (2 Samuel 9:1)

God has been described as a good King, a good Father and a good Shepherd, searching the world over for the lost ones, who feel like nobodies in a land of Nothing. He restores and makes them a part of His family. All that God does for us is for our eternal good as Peter wrote,

“The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

Lord, We pray for all those today who have lost everything due to war, wildfires, hurricanes, or other disasters. As children of the King, help us to search for and comfort those who feel like nobodies, to share the love of God with them, so that they find restoration in you. Amen

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