Wednesday in the Word: How to Love the King

Today I'm going to share with you the sermon my husband preached Sunday night. I love hearing him preach, and in our new church, I actually get to hear him three times a week! Sunday night he preached on Mephibosheth, one of my favorite Bible characters (believe it or not), and how he loved King David supremely. We can see lessons from his life on how to love our King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Samuel 19:15-30


First, we see that Mephibosheth loved the king with absolute devotion. The reason he loved the king so devotedly is because of what David had done for him in II Samuel 9. David had brought him to his own house and set him at his own table even though he was the last surviving member of Saul's household and technically was a threat to David's throne as such. David showed mercy and grace for Jonathan's sake, however; and Mephibosheth acknowledges David's mercy in verse 28. And that's what Jesus has done for us; He's taken us from our crippled state, shown us mercy and grace, and set us at His own table. Throughout the course of his life, Mephibosheth showed his devotion to King David for his mercy and grace. Does my life show my devotion to my king because of his mercy?

Secondly, Mephibosheth showed his love for the king with absolute dedication. He forsook all that the world had to offer and only cared for David. Mephibosheth was supposed to divide his land with his servant Ziba, but in verse 30, Mephibosheth said, "Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace . . ." He didn't care for earthly things as long as his king was present! He also forgot himself in his dedication to David. The whole time David was gone from the kingdom, Mephibosheth had not trimmed his beard or bathed or washed his clothes; that's dedication! Mephibosheth had also followed the king as best he could. Since he was lame, he'd had his servant saddle his donkey so he could flee with David, but Ziba had tricked him and made it look like Mephibosheth had deserted David. But when David came back, Mephibosheth was the second person to meet him. Are we dedicated enough to our King to forget the draw of the world and even to forget ourselves in our love for Him, and are we willing to follow Him wherever He leads?

Lastly, Mephibosheth loved the king with absolute delight. He was looking for David to return to the kingdom and anticipating his return. He loved David deeply. In verse 27, he says to David, ". . . my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes." All Mephibosheth's waiting and looking for the king were finally rewarded when he looked upon his king. His faith became sight. He was delighted to see David. Are we looking for and anticipating our King's return? Do we long to look upon Him, to have our faith become sight? Do we continually say "Yes!" to our King? Our response should match Mephibosheth's: "do therefore what is good in thine eyes."

How is your love for the King today? My heart is stirred once again to not only love Him, but to show it through the way I live and by looking for His return. This could be the day! Will I be like Mephibosheth and be waiting for Him, ready to look in His eyes? Or will I be so busy with the things of this life that His coming catches me unaware? I want to be ready and loving Him with devotion, dedication, and delight!