Summoned By The King
My text is from II Samuel 9:5 “So King David summonedhim from Lo Debar”....
Since the Holy Spirit directed me to declare 2023 to be “the year of the Lord’s Release”, on New Year Sunday..... the message the Lord gave to me for this Sunday, is a graphic demonstration of the desire of the Lord to go to any extreme to make that release reality! *..........There are few illustrations in the Bible that are as powerful as the story of Mephibosheth in Lo-Debar. This wonderful story isan amazing picture of how the Lord refuses to allow anything to get in His way, when He is determined to bless all of those He has appointed to receive grace in the midst of every hindrance, every handicap, every barrier, every condition, and every force that is against them! 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence”.
We may know there IS a God. But we don’t really KNOW Him until he reveals Himself to us. People talk about finding Jesus, but Jesus is not lost, we are! Too many people are like Mephibosheth. They are utterly unconscious of the fact that there’s so much more than they could imagine, because where they are is all they’ve known. Lodibar is located in Gad, which is the tribe which refused to cross the Jordon and enter the land of promise. It is adjacent to Manassas, where half of that tribe also refused to cross over. The name means “Without a place”
Those in spiritual Lodibar, have no idea that they are, in reality, lost and separated from the one who is consumed with finding them and revealing Himself to them. They don’t know that the first step in coming to Christ is to realize that they are lost and desperately need to be found and rescued. Some folks are hard to help and it’s frustrating to do all the right things and get no results, because that kind of person is committed to doing it the hard way.
One day a kindergarten teacher was helping one of her students put on his cowboy boots. He asked for help and she could see why. Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn’t want to go on. Finally, when the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost cried when the little boy said, "Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet." She looked down and sure enough, they were. It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. But she managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on - this time on the right feet. And it was only then that he announced, "These aren’t my boots." She bit her tongue rather than scream, "Why didn’t you say so?" like she wanted to. And, once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet. No sooner had they got the boots off then he said, "They’re my brother’s boots, and I’m using them. My Mom made me wear ’em today cause mine have holes in them. "Stifling a scream, she mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the ill-fitting boots on his feet again. Helping him into his coat, she asked, "Now, where are your mittens?" To which he replied, "I stuffed ’em in the toes of my boots." The teacher is now looking for another job!
Mephibosheth knew that through the natural order of things, as Saul’s grandson, he did not have an easy road ahead. He was, by tradition, officially an enemy of the current King. In that day, it was not unusual for the incoming king to slay all those in the line of the former King, so that there would be no threat to his crown or those in his family who would follow his rulership. That’s why as soon as his nurse maid heard that Saul and Jonathan were killed, she fled with the young child and in her haste she fell, and the boy was injured badly in his feet, making him a cripple. Satan loves to make God into a cruel, judgmental, and harsh ruler, who rains down cruel and undeserved judgments. He loves to paint the heavenly Father as a mean, and unjust judge, who is constantly striking down people and kingdoms in His wrath. He spreads the lie, that if God is so good, why are so many diseases, why is there war, why does He let people die before there time? He knows that if nations turn to God, the world and all of our lives would be radically improved. So, he blinds their eyes and stops up their ears, lest they see and hear and believe. That’s why he fights so hard to keep Jesus out of the public square, out of government, the media, and then inserts himself in those places....He promotes cults, and religion based on human effort and works. He promotes foreign Gods and changes laws and policies which do his bidding.... Mephibosheth knew there was nothing he could do to make things right and he would be doomed to hide all of his life..Lo Debar is a barren wasteland. Mephibosheth was hiding out in a desolate place. How tragic it is to hear folks express how hopeless they feel, and they resign themselves to ending up in hell, or better yet, that everyone is going to heaven, because God won’t send anyone to hell, if He is truly good. (The truth is that God doesn’t send anyone to Hell, people make the choice to go there, in spite of God’s efforts to keep them out)
Oh, yeah, a good lie Satan tells folks is that there is no hell, or heaven...this is all there is, but they will use hell as a curse word, but (if there is no hell, why say it so much)!
Anyway, like this young man, if we’re not careful, we canfind ourselves in a desolate place, of lack and insufficiency, when we forget that God’s kingdom is all about mercy and grace and redemption. But we get so locked into our religious patterns, and human reasoning, and the cares of life, that we begin to think that’s all we can expect, so just make the best of it. (that’s Lodibar)
So, when David’s kingdom was secured and he had carved out a time of peace, and there were no immediate enemies to threaten him or the nation, David was able to reflect, and recall the promises he made when he and Jonathan had last took counsel. But Saul, Johnathan, and all his descendants had been killed, according to the information which Davidhad received . He didn’t know there was one member of that family left. God loves to use what’s left.....
When Elijah was facing the prophets of Baal, he thought he was the only one left, and God had to let him know that he had 7000 who had not bowed the knee. When Cora Ten Boom was in the Nazi death camp, she felt that she was alone against Hitler’s death machine, but little by little she changed the odds as she witnessed with her life and words, and Christ revealed Himself through her light... (someone said “witness for Christ with your life, use words only if necessary”)....
Are you the only one on your street, on your job, in your family, or in your class at school who stands for Christ? Consider the great privilege you have been given, because someone took that place of being forsaken, and rejected, so you might know Him today!
When the prophet showed up at the widow woman’s house in the midst of famine, and asked if she could give him something to eat, she told him what she had left.
I love left overs, first of all because I don’t have to pay for them, they’re already paid for, and second, because they seem to taste better than the first time around. A miracle started with the left overs.
When Samuel was looking for a king in Jesse’s house, Jesse paraded the 7 tallest, oldest, and most capable in front of him. Samuel said is there anyone left.... Jesse said, yes we have a left over out in the field keeping the sheep, I’ll fetch him, and the rest is history! So Mephibosheth was the left over, alone, abandoned, cut off, and forsaken, but didn’t even realize that he was remembered, and very special to someone.....
Would you look at someone and let them know, “only by the grace of God, are you here”. Only by the grace of God, have you received, the revelation of Christ, when so many have not!
Any time the enemy has stolen from your life — and you’re standing there saying, “What happened? Where did it go? Why did this happen?”— it’s God saying to you, “I know you feel like a left over that’s been passed over, but I’m going to use what’s left.” “I’m Lord over what’s left and I will bless you sovereignly and mightily with what’s left. Trust me. Believe me. Hold to my promises.” What you have left is going to frustrate the devil’s plan. God will always bless His children not by what they’ve lost but what they have left.” He’s not just God of what you’ve got, He’s the God of what’s left.
Mephibosheth, get over yourself, move on from your pity party and living with regret, you’re not forgotten.....You’re being summoned by the King!
Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly”! He came into our desolate place so that we could have life “You shall not die, but you shall live and have a future and a hope” is His promise.
God takes the initiative to seek out and to find. Remember the parable of the lost sheep. The Good Shepherd left 99 healthy sheep back in the safety of the sheep-fold while he scoured the countryside all night, looking for one lost lamb, in a perilous place.
As I was thinking of David’s question about Mephibosheth, I thought that the promise he made to Jonathan finally had a name to it. Isn’t it a powerful moment when the answer to your problem has a name to it....and the end of your search has a physical address!!
Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But my people said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your place (My plan for you) is ever before me.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed your destiny.”
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
When life came into each of us from God our maker, He imparted a piece of himself in us, that means we have greatness, endless possibilities, tremendous potential, and access to God himself. No matter where you are, or what you feel, what you think, or what you have imagined, that’s who you are. God’s not finished with you yet, He is still writing your story!
A mom was testing her 3 year old to see if he had his personal information correct, in case he got lost or separated from her. She asked him “Where do you live..” and he told her correctly.. Very good, “what is your name?”.... Jonathan Stephen, was his response. “OK, that’s your first and middle name, but what is your last name”...he paused a moment and said, “You better get in here”.....
So, David the king, is sitting in the palace, thinking of the promise he made to his best friend, Jonathan and he’s asking... “‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’
Like Mephibosheth, we were actually SAVED FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S SAKE.
II Samuel 9:1,7 “David said to him, “Do not fear for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
David loved Mephibosheth from the very beginning … not for his own sake … not for anything Mephibosheth had done to deserve that love … but for Jonathan’s sake. His love for Jonathan extended through the generations to Jonathan’s descendants.
I can understand that because … as a grandfather … my love for my children extends to their husbands, their children (my grandchildren) … and, to my great grand kidsas well. I love everything connected to my children. And --- (though I do have the best looking family in the world) --- I would love them no matter how they looked or what they did. In much the same way, God loves every one of us for Jesus His Son’s sake. We don’t have to earn His love … we already have His love. God’s love was given freely … It was given in the name of His son, Jesus. We just need to receive it.
It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, in Ephesians 1:6. The apostle Paul says that we are accepted “In the beloved.”Also see, Ephesians 1:3...
Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.”
We are fully acceptable to God purely because we belong to His Son, Jesus Christ. And even if we don’t, each of us are loved so much that He would die for us..... If God has given us His best, will He not give us all things.
In every human being I’m addressing right now from the youngest person listening to the oldest, there is something that wants to be acknowledged and recognized. It doesn’t matter how introverted or extroverted you are—you want people to acknowledge you as someone significant. My problem is that some people just don’t understand how important I am. I’ll be in a traffic jam, and I’ll say to the cars in front of me... “You must not know how important I am”.....(I do it, because I know they can’t hear me)
The King is summoning you into His presence, to sit at his table, and enjoy His company!
Thank God he knows our name and He has sent us an official summons. In Christ, you have an advantage over others that have rejected Him. You have the winning edge....
It is a blessed thought to know that in Jesus Christ I’ve already been approved and exalted, and not just exalted but seated in a place of great authority and power.
Now the story of Mephibosheth has a happy ending. And our story, too, can have a happy ending because --- like Mephibosheth --- we are personally invited TO THE KING’S TABLE. (That’s an actual picture of Queen Elizabeth’s royal table)....
II Samuel 9:3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David summoned himfrom Lo Debar, from the house of Makir (the closed offplace) son of Ammiel (the people of God).
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied.7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” 11 So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons. (Oh, I’m getting blessed!) 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’shousehold were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth was given a palace in Jerusalem, but he always ate at the king’s table, even though he was lame in both feet”. “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table as one of the king’s sons.”
My friends, an invitation has gone out from the King of Kings to each and every one of us. Jesus has set a place at HIS banquet table … and the place mat has your name on it! Everyone likes to know that someone knows their name and taken the time to know them. These days, unfortunately, we are seldom known by our names, but rather by a number.
You need to know your Federal ID Number by heart. When you complete forms you have to enter your Id Number.When you complete your Tax Return you have a number that was allocated to you. If I were to apply for a loan at a bank they would know me as Mr. Elliott (but that was actually my father). My loan application is merited not by who I am as a person, but by numbers. By what I earn and how much my worth is in dollars and cents.
When Jesus called Zacchaeus out of the tree, he knew all about him, because he called him by name. Zacchaeus was satisfied to know Jesus from a distance, but Jesus saw his heart, and said, I’m coming to your house (I want a relationship with you, and I want you to get closer to me)... No one else saw him up in the tree, but Jesus did. Whatever you’re going through, believe me, the Lord knows, and he’s wanting to get in there with you. Let Him into the situation, the secret thing, the challenge you’re facing, that you would not want anyone to know about.....
Your place at the banquet table was secured by someone who knows you so well, and it was at the cost of the priceless blood of the lamb who was slain. He has provided for each of us a place at His table for all eternity. If He gave something priceless for you, that means you are priceless! (tell someone, I hadn’t noticed, but you are priceless)
But, thank God, it is also true that the King has come. He has gone out of his way to seek us out. He has found us in the far place with all our flaws and failures and problems. He wants to adopt us into His family so we can sit in His very presence. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss a meal or have someone else take my place at the table.
The story of Mephibosheth is a reminder of how God actively seeks all of us to bring us to his table, to fellowship with Him, and have Him share His heart with us. To bring us into His counsel and reveal the secret things of the Father. That kind of love deserves all our praise, all our worship, and all our love. In love and gratitude, we need to reach back to the ones who have yet to receive the invitationso they too can sit with us and the one who already reached out to us.
The phone rings at your home and you answer. A strange voice says, “This is the White House operator, is this,” and they say your name.
“Yes, it is,” you say, while thinking, Is this a practical joke or what?
Then the person says, “The President wants to speak with you.” There’s a long wait and finally a voice comes on that you recognize, not because you’ve met him but because you’ve heard the President many times on the television.
“I need you in Washington D.C. I’ve researched and I believe you’re the right person for the job. I need someone to be a close advisor to me and I’m going to give you an office right next to the Oval Office. There will be none greater in my administration than you. You’ll be my most treasured and trusted advisor.”
You no more than hang up the phone, when a knock comes at the door and men in blue suits with earpieces stand waiting for you to open the door. They introduce themselves as the Secret Service. They usher you into a black Cadillac limousine with the President’s insignia and you fly to D.C. You don’t enter through the portico or the normal doors of the White House, you enter through the entryway of the special staff and are ushered into the Oval Office where you meet the President of the United States. There he once again confirms what he’s offering you. He’s going to trust you more than he has any other advisor. You’re going to be the power behind the throne, so to speak, and you’ll have access to him 24/7. He will listen to your advice and will implement most of what you advise him.
Of course, this sounds so silly and fantastical that it’s hardly believable. And yet, One greater than the President, One better than any king or principality has invited you, not into the Oval Office, but into the throne room of heaven. There He has seated you and I in Christ Jesus where we are not the power behind the throne, but where the power of the throne is behind us. This is true. This is what this text states about you and me and it is so because of our union with Jesus Christ.
(I want to Bring everyone up to the table I have set up, that represents the King’s table, to be seated one by one)
Now, I want to read this again to you who are sitting here....
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Sometimes you felt it so close that you could reach out and touch it. In moments of clarity you could see it and you knew it belonged to you, but today I want to escort you to it, and let you sit in that place you know God has for you, at the King’s table. Lodibar, that place you have felt stuck in, where you wonder if it will ever happen, is being left behind, and you’re entering into all the King has prepared for you....This seat has been reserved for you, in His presence continually, as a daughter and as a son!
