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Explore the Bible Lesson for July 1: Valued
Logan Sides, local missions director, Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
June 22, 2018
2 MIN READ TIME

Explore the Bible Lesson for July 1: Valued

Explore the Bible Lesson for July 1: Valued
Logan Sides, local missions director, Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
June 22, 2018

Focal passages: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

David swore to Jonathan that he would preserve the family line of Saul’s descendants (1 Samuel 20:12-17). That promise is kept when King David finds Jonathan’s surviving son named Mephibosheth and lavishes his wealth on him. The kindness expressed here demonstrates first the importance of keeping our promises.

This is especially true in David’s case because the son is apparently the last surviving child of Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:3). David graciously restores all the land, provides workers for the fields and invites him into the royal meal each night. Mephibosheth himself has a son named Mica, which further confirms the promise David made that the line of Saul would not be cut off.

Twice it is mentioned in this passage that Mephibosheth is “lame in both feet” which implies he was in a disadvantageous position in his society. He very easily could have been looked down upon, and no one would have questioned David if he said, “Mephibo-what? I don’t know who this guy is; get him out of here.”

The son himself says, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8).

God’s word is telling you unequivocally that he values the poor, the sick, the outsider and the physically impaired as dignified human beings made in His image, specially designed for a personal relationship with Him.

Surely we find in David’s kindness an example to follow for offering compassionate care to others and honoring our commitments. May we also celebrate God’s adoption of us into His family. Just like in this story, we were isolated, without a future and looked down upon.

Ephesians 2 portrays clearly the reality of those who are far from God: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13, ESV). With a renewed sense of humility from reflecting on our brokenness apart from God’s grace, let us also show kindness and affirm value of others we meet, forfeiting any sense of superiority and loving them with the love we’ve been given.