Dead Dogs No More

King David wanted to know if there was anyone left from the household of Saul that he could show kindness to. Although Saul, when he was king and alive, had problems with David because of jealousy, his son, Jonathan, was his very bestfriend. Because of love for Jonathan, David wanted to bless any remaining member of his family.

So he called his servant, Ziba, and asked him that question. Ziba reported that there was one who was left, but there was one problem;that man was lame in both feet. To top it off, his name was Mephibosheth.

David tells Ziba to bring him in, and when Mephibosheth appears he, too, expects to be rejected as he says,"What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?" after David has told him that he will always eat at his table. I suspect that eating at ones table involves more than just eating at ones table. It evokes the idea of being totally accepted and embraced as the story concludes with saying that Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons.

David is a type of the Lord to us Mephibosheths; those who have been rejected, cast-out, abused, de-valued, insecure, bound, fearful, shy, ignored, self-conscious, weak, dependent, "worthless", ashamed, unloved, depressed, left out or alone for whatever reasons. I'm sure that about includes all of us in various situations as we walk through life. Imagine the Lord Himself telling you that YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A PLACE AT MY TABLE. Wow!!! How would that make you feel? To know that Jesus values you so much NO MATTER WHAT that He would offer to sit with Him at His table forever and ever.

He has time for you, because He's not going anywhere. He thinks you're great! He doesn't even see your two lame feet. It means nothing to Him. He doesn't value the things the world values: fame, looks, money, prestige, intelligience, etc. He values you, your name, and your two lame feet!!! Hard to take in, isn't it? But until we do really believe our value to Him and what He offers us, we will always see ourselves as less than, opened up to the abuse that will come our way and take a chunk of us each time, whether it be from ourselves, others, or the enemy.

But when we truly believe that the Lord Himself sees us as acceptable and well-loved than no one or no thing can really harm us. We will no more feel that we are "dead-dogs", but His dearly beloved, and will begin to get the attitude that if God be for us, who can be against us? It's way more than just "self-esteem." It's God-esteem!!!

I love that song from Westside Story called, "I Feel Pretty." That's how we'll feel, and know ourselves to be when we take that eternal seat that the King offers to us. Can't you see Him now? He's pulled the chair out, with his arm extended while He lovingly looks at us waiting for us to sit so He can push the chair under the table. All we have to do is take the steps to sit in it. When we do our feet will be instantly healed, and He will give us a new name.