“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT)

Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, Saul, were killed on the battlefield. Imagine, if you will, life as he had known it up to that point. The privilege and potential of his pampered life as a prince could not have prepared him for the hard life he would face in the future. Mephibosheth enjoyed life in the palace as a young prince, with people waiting on him hand and foot. He enjoyed the further blessing of being raised by his godly father, Jonathan. Life was good for this young boy.

But there were dark clouds gathering in his world. In one moment, through no fault of his own, his entire life would change forever. His father, Jonathan, anticipated that things were going to change. That’s why he persuaded David to make an agreement to look out for his descendants after he was gone. He made David promise to show kindness to his family forever. David willingly made that promise, and he kept it.

When news hit the palace that Saul and Jonathan had been killed on the battlefield, the nurse who was caring for Mephibosheth, in her frenzied state, dropped the little boy on the ground. As a result, he was crippled for life.

Perhaps you’ve gone through hardships in your childhood. Maybe something traumatic has happened to you. Maybe you’ve been dropped in life, so to speak. Maybe you wonder if anything good can come out of your life. The answer is a resounding yes—thanks to God’s love, compassion, and mercy.

Mephibosheth was dropped in life, but God intervened. In fact, God specializes in taking people who have been dropped and picking them up again. God prompted David to ask, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT).

And when David learned of Mephibosheth’s plight, he showed extraordinary kindness to the man who had suffered so much. Not only did David make sure that Mephibosheth was cared for and provided for, but he also made sure that his life had purpose and meaning. He gave Mephibosheth the land and servants of his grandfather. He invited Mephibosheth to dine at his table. Through David, God picked up the one who had been dropped. And if you’ve been dropped, God will do the same for you.

This story from 2 Samuel 9 offers comfort to those in need. But it also presents a challenge and opportunity to God’s people. Though we aren’t bound by a promise as David was, we have a responsibility to reach out to people in need. We have the opportunity to be instruments of God’s love and compassion to lift those who have been dropped.

Reflection question: What would caring for someone who’s been “dropped” look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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