Dead dogs..

Well, yesterday marked 1 month on the ground in Guatemala. I find it hard to believe it has already been that long. And I truly love serving God where He has me.

Wednesday I had the privilege of sitting in on an EdT intern meeting... and the Director of EdT, Joel, walked us through the II Samuel 9, the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth.
...You will want to take a moment to read the chapter in order to understand my reflections here. It's not too long.

In this story, David asks one of Saul's former servants, Ziba: "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?"  This is remarkable. "Is there anyone from Saul's family that I can show God's kindness to?" David is at the height of his prosperity and power, with the ability to do whatever he wants. And he seeks to "show God's kindness" to the family of an enemy. And not just any enemy, but one who sought to kill him relentlessly.
...When was the last time we asked within our communities: "Is there no one left to whom I can show God's kindness?"


The only family member to be found in Saul's family is Mephibosheth, who is lame in both legs. (The story about his injury is found in II Sam 4.) Ziba appears very opposed to honoring Mephibosheth, seems to dub him unworthy of the kindness David seeks to extend. Nonetheless, David has Mephibosheth brought to him. David tells him that in honor of his father Jonathan, he is giving back all the land that Saul owned, and that the servant Ziba and his family will care for it, and that Mephibosheth will always eat at the King's table.
...Have I judged someone unworthy of God's kindness? On what criteria? From whose counsel?

But there is more to the story.... Mephibosheth does not say: 'Finally! someone recognizes the injustice of my circumstances!"  Instead, out of his humility, he replies: "what is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me??"
...This story really hits home after seeing a dead dog lying on the carretera (highway) the very same afternoon. It's pitiful-- even revolting-- imagery.

What is more, the Bible says Mephibosheth was living in Lo-Debar, which translates 'no harvest'. Everyone knew nothing good came from Lo-Debar. No one wanted to reside there. Bottom line, it wouldn't be the first place one would want to extend charity, grace, or kindness.

Yet the story doesn't end there either. A few chapters later David is forced to flee for his life because his son Absalom wants the throne.  Ziba the servant comes to visit David while he's in hiding. He tells David that Mephibosheth did not come; that he has betrayed David to support Absalom. When hearing this, David transfers all the land into Ziba's name.  After the commotion has settled and David returns to the throne in Jerusalem, he confronts Mephibosheth on betraying him
(ch. 19). Mephibosheth responds:
"²⁶ My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. ²⁷ And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. ²⁸ All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table."
It's also mentioned that Mephibosheth neither trimmed his beard or his nails until David returned to Jerusalem. He was indeed loyal.  David in turn offers back the land he had given to the deceitful servant. But Mephibosheth does not even care-- he merely desires to be once again in the presence of the King.
What do we most desire-- to fellowship with the Lord and be in his presence (at His table!), or ___(something else)___?

My work here in Guatemala is in Lo-Debars. Someone recently asked me: "What good can come from there?" regarding a particular context we minister in. Yet there is another Lo-debar in the scriptures. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which was regarded as a worthless place. In John 1, one of Jesus' own disciples says: "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?"  The Lord seems to have a way of revealing his grace and purposes through the people of Lo-Debars.  Mephibosheth had his priorities right... the most important thing was being in the King's presence. He knew he was a 'dead dog' unworthy of honor and inheritance. Each day I imagine he rejoiced as he fellowshipped with the King. When the King was not present, he neither shaved nor bathed and wept for David.  And through all this, he was lame in both legs. Life wasn't perfect. But he was given a seat at the King's table.