A Man After God’s Own Heart
Apr 5 2024 - Eric Buresh
I’ve recently been listening to a sermon series on 1-2 Samuel. I absolutely love the rich pictures that are drawn from the narrative stories. They are obviously so much more than a recitation of history. The stories teach us about the character of God. In 1 Samual 13:14, we see that David was a man after God’s own heart. As we read the stories of David, many of them reveal God’s heart in David.
In 2 Samuel 9, we uncover a narrative that speaks volumes about the character of our God—a story of grace and redemption that pulsates with the very heartbeat of the Gospel now revealed to us. It is the account of King David's search for any remaining descendants of his dear friend Jonathan, a quest driven not by duty alone, but by the overflow of God's boundless love in David's heart.
Imagine, if you will, the splendor of David's court, where the king sits upon his throne, surrounded by his royal advisors and attendants. Yet, amidst the grandeur and pomp, David’s thoughts are drawn to the memory of his covenant with Jonathan, a covenant sealed in love and loyalty, transcending even the grave itself.
With love in his heart, David sets out to fulfill his promise to Jonathan, seeking to show kindness to any surviving member of his household. David learns of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan who had been crippled from childhood, and the grandson of Saul who had relentlessly hunted David. In a stunning display of grace, David sends for Mephibosheth and invites him to come and dwell in the king's palace, to eat at his table, and to be treated as one of the king's own sons.
This is a glorious picture of God's overflowing grace and mercy! Despite Mephibosheth's physical infirmity and the shadows of his family's past, David extends to him an invitation of love and acceptance, welcoming him into the royal family with open arms.
God sovereignly orchestrated this story to give us a glimpse of His heart toward us, His wayward children. Like Mephibosheth, we may feel crippled by our sin and unworthy to stand in the presence of the King of kings. Yet, through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, God extends to us an invitation of grace and redemption, welcoming us into His family as cherished heirs of His kingdom.
No matter our past failures or present struggles, God's grace is more than sufficient to cover our sins and to lift us up from the depths of despair. He invites us to come and partake of the richness of His blessings, to feast at His table, and to experience the fullness of life found only in Him.
Therefore, my fellow heirs, let us embrace the overflowing grace of our heavenly King with gratitude and humility. Let us accept His invitation to come and dine, to receive His love and forgiveness, and to live as the King’s daughters and sons in His eternal kingdom. Each time I hear the story of Mephibosheth, it stirs within me a deep appreciation for the depth of God's love and mercy. May the story remind each of us that we are recipients of His unmerited favor and unfailing kindness.