I was listening to some music the other day and happened to be shuffled to a song by John Mark McMillin, and was reminded of a story from 2 Samuel.  The ninth chapter of this book tells the story of King David as he seeks to show his mercy, grace, and love to the house of Saul, his predecessor, in a response to the love he had for his friend Jonathan. 

The Great King, who is victorious in his assumption of the throne of Israel, seeks out one to whom he is able to show his compassion to a man who was a great friend throughout his life.  Mephibosheth is the crippled son of Jonathan.  A son such as this might just as easily have been discarded as worthless due to his infirmary.  Or could have been righteous killed by David as an earthly threat to his throne.  However, instead of such action, Mephibosheth is restored as the master of his grandfather’s house, and is even adopted into the house of the King to eat at his table and be like a son. 

When I think about being an adopted son of the Most High God, I am humbled by this story of David.  When I look at this story I see a great many similarities between Mephibosheth and Christians.  We are not the chosen people, and in fact, are of the lineage of the enemies of God as enemies ourselves.  Crippled in comparison to Him, and incapable of providing for ourselves; able only to accept His benevolence or death.  Without the grace of the King, we are bound for ridicule, shame, and death.  I have been given the right to sit at the table of the Almighty, to be loved as a son, and to be without fear of retribution for my faults, the faults of my father, or those of my father’s father.