Last week I shared about how David believed a lie that he was sure to die at Saul’s hand. Sometimes our imaginations, fears and anxieties get the better of us. If we don’t challenge those thoughts, they can grow loud.
Recently, I attended a bridal shower and through a series of small, ordinary events, I found myself at a table I never expected to be at. I was seated with women who were older than me, women whom I respected and admired, women who carried a position and presence. I felt completely out of place.
During the luncheon, I barely spoke. I was nervous. I felt like I didn’t belong there. At one point, I caught myself wishing I could simply disappear or crawl under the table.
As I reflected back on that moment, I am almost ashamed of how self-conscious I was that day. My anxiety of the moment had taken control.
But what was the truth?
I had been given a seat. No one asked me to leave. I had a place at that table, even if I didn’t feel like it.
I thought about this as I read the story of Mephibosheth.
King David wished to show kindness to one of Saul’s house. He was told about Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was lame on his feet. David sent for him and told him: “thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” (2 Samuel 9:7)
The king’s command is repeated so often that it caught my attention— “Mephibosheth...shall eat bread alway at my table.” (9:10)... “Mephibosheth...shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.” (9:11) “Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table...” (9:13)
Dear friend, remember how I said I wished I could “crawl under the table”? That phrase carries more meaning than we realize. “Under the table” is a place of humiliation.
In Judges chapter 1, the Canaanite king Adoni-bezek is captured and had his thumbs and big toes cut off. In verse 7 he said: “Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath required me.”
But Mephibosheth was not humiliated, he was given a seat at the king’s table.
I wonder if he felt out of place at times. The Bible doesn’t say, but we do know that he sat there continually.
Mephibosheth had done nothing to earn his seat. He was humbly living an ordinary life when King David called for him and began providing for him. He sat there as one of the king’s sons, not because of who he was, but because of who had placed him there.
King David’s table would have been richly furnished. When Queen Sheba saw King Solomon’s table she was so impressed “there was no more spirit in her.” (1 Kings 10:5) The provisions were made so that “they lacked nothing.” (1 Kings 4:27)
There was nothing Mephibosheth had to do but receive the blessings of the king.
Like Mephibosheth, we did not deserve to sit at the King’s table. We are sinners, lame on our feet and unworthy of coming before a Holy God. Through Jesus Christ, God gave us salvation and grace abundant. None of us deserve the blessings of God.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. —Galatians 4:4-7
Some times we may be called to do something we are unsure about. We may be asked to serve in a way that causes us to feel uncertain in our abilities. We may find ourselves ‘seated’ with those with whom we feel like we don’t belong, or feel like we don’t deserve to be where we are. Those doubts begin creeping in, obscuring the facts.
The truth is, our belonging isn’t always determined by how we feel or what we think we deserve.
Consider these verses—
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. —Psalm 23:5
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; —1 Timothy 6:17
The Psalmist said that God prepares a table for us—in the presence of our enemies! He provides all things for us. If you are a saved child of God, you are a child of the King! You sit at the table He has prepared for you.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. —1 John 3:1
Mephibosheth did not seat himself at the table.The king placed him there.
If the King has given you a place, your presence is not a mistake.
Don’t doubt where God has placed you. Enjoy the table He has prepared and all the things He has given us richly to enjoy.
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. —Proverbs 10:22
