How God Reaches Out to Us

2 Samuel 4:4
(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

2 Samuel 9:1-8
1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2 Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied.
3 The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."
4 "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied.
7 "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."
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

Ephesians 2:16
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Mephibosheth's life is a great reminder to us of the way God reached out to us and saved us. It reminds us of our utter helplessness, because of our fall into sin and its effect on us. His story reminds us of the incredible love, and generosity of God in reaching out to us while we were his enemies and deserving of His wrath. It is so easy to forget God's love and goodness, especially when we go through tough times and we neglect spending time with God. This is a story that serves to remind us once again of what God did for us.

Q. According to 2 Sam 4:4 who is Mephibosheth?

Q. What happened to Mephibosheth as he was carried by his servant when they were trying to escape after his father Jonathan and King Saul were killed?

Q. What was Mephibosheth's age when this happened?

Q. After God kept his promise and raised up David to be the new king of Israel, what was one of the first things David had on his heart? (2 Sam 9:1-5)

Q. Mephibosheth, being the grandson of the king could have been a threat to David's throne. In spite of this, what did David decide to do for Mepibosheth? (2 Sam 9:6-11)

Q. According to 2 Sam 9:8, how did Mephibosheth feel about himself? Why do you think he felt this way?

Q. According to 2 Sam 9:11, how did David feel or look at Mephibosheth? Read Eph 2:1-6 and reflect on how this story is similar to our story and the way God reached out to us while we were still sinners and helpless.

Q. What was our condition according to vs 1-3? Is this how you see yourself? Why is this important?

Q. How is God described according to v 4?

Q. What has God done for us according to v 6? How often do we think about this and thank God about it?

It easy to let momentary trials and struggles make us forget who God is and what he has done for us. Mephibosheth's story is a reminder to us of how God reached out to us in our weakness and sin and how he has made us one of his own sons and daughters. It should teach us gratitude, which is the key to worship and a life of service to God.