Defeating a Dead-Dog Mentality

God has a wonderful way of showing us in his word how loved and precious each

person is in his sight.

Just when we feel lost, alone, and forsaken…God can pull us out of the pit of despair

and give us his divine favor and blessings…if we only believe and trust him.

King David was know as a man after God’s own heart. He made mistakes, but also

did many kind and thoughtful things for others.

He knew he was blessed, to be a blessing to others.

One of the dearest friends he had in life was a man named Jonathan, who was

the son of King Saul…his arch enemy.

For years Saul pursued him for no reason other than jealousy and pride…yet

Jonathan and David maintained their friendship until death parted them.

After Saul and his son’s death, David was elevated to the throne, but he never forgot his beloved

friendship with Jonathan.

One day David was deep in thought about how blessed he was and asked…

Is there anyone from the house of Saul that I can show the kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?

He was told there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba and he was quickly

called to appear before the King.

David asked, are you Ziba?

Ziba replied, At your service!

David asked, Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?

Ziba answered, Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who is lame in his feet.

He is living in the house of Machir in Lo Debar.

Mephibosheth’s nurse had fallen on the boy during an attack on Saul’s house many years before and had been crippled in both feet ever since.

David had Mephibosheth brought before him, and he fell on his face in respect to the king.

I imagine he feared for his life, and thought David would have him thrown in prison or executed.

David could sense his anxiety and said, Don’t be afraid, I will show kindness to you for Jonathan your father’s sake, and return all the land of Saul your grandfather. You will eat bread at my table continually.

Mephibosheth felt unworthy of such kind treatment and asked, Who is your servant, that you should look upon, such as a dead dog as I am?

Dogs in Israel were thought of as unclean scavengers. Mephibosheth had such lo self-esteem

and depression over his life that he compared himself to a dead dog.

David called Ziba Saul’s servant and said, I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You and your sons, and your servants shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat.

Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants, who now would serve Mephibosheth and help provide

for him and his son Micha.

Mephibosheth made his home in Jerusalem. He ate continually at the kings table and was treated like one of David’s own sons.

The Bible says…

Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not. Proverbs 27:10

David loved his friend Jonathan and even after his death sought ways to help his family and provide for them.

He held no hatred or animosity for Saul or his grandson because of his 15 years of wrongful persecution by the king.

Perhaps today you feel like Mephibosheth. You may be physically or mentally challenged, or have a dead dog mindset because of things you did in your past life.

You may have lost your home, job, or health and have given up hope.

You may be living in a pitiful place just like Lo Debar and have tried to drown your

sorrows with drugs, cutting, alcohol, sex, or pornography.

Precious one…there is no pit so deep that God can’t pull you out of.

Beloved…Your heavenly Father loves you so much that he sent his Son Jesus to die for your sins and those of the whole world. He suffered persecution, abuse and a wrongful death by crucifixion to give us the free gift of mercy and a fresh start.

Like Mephibosheth, none of us are worthy to receive such a gift or sit at the table of our Father.

But we have a wonderful King in heaven and his name is Jesus.

He is preparing a beautiful place for you one day.

All you have to do is repent of your sins and believe that Jesus is the son of God. His death on the cross paid your sin debt in full.

You don’t have to earn it or clean up your act, before he will welcome you into his loving family.

In one day, Mephibosheth went from being an outcast in society, a cripple and pauper, and was

welcomed into a loving and royal family.

The same God who gave Mephibosheth favor and blessings is willing and able to help and

provide for all your needs too!

Come beloved, to the table and drink of the living water of our LORD.

Open your heart and ask Jesus to be your Saviour.

I pray you’ll make that life changing decision this very moment.

Will you pray with me…

O merciful Father in heaven,

I humbly come to your throne of grace today and ask for the forgiveness of my sins. I choose to turn from my life of sin and ask Jesus to be my LORD and Saviour. Show me how I may serve you and my neighbors, so they too may inherit eternal life one day in heaven. Write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, now and forever.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

If you just prayed this prayer, you are now a child of God and our sister or brother in Christ.

Welcome Beloved into the Family of God! We love you and care about you!

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ

unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference. Jude 21-22

In Christian love,

Valerie Rousseau