Grace in a Barren Place

2 Sam 9:1-6

This is the season everyone tends to think about being generous. As we continue to study David’s life, we see real generosity. We see grace.

David and Jonathan had always been very close. They remained close even when Saul declared open war on David. So, when Jonathan makes a strange request of David, you can understand it better based on understanding the history of that time. READ 1 Sam 20:14-17

There were great pros and cons to being related to the King in ancient times. On the good side was the fact that as long as the king’s family was in power, life was good. You had power, prestige, and access to the king. You lived an opulent lifestyle and no one said no to you.

But there was a very big downside to being related to the king. When power shifted to another family, they always worried that the previous family might rise up against them, so they killed everyone related to the king.

Sadly, during the war with David and the Philistines, most of Saul’s male family members are killed. However, one survives and David keeps his word to his friend by taking care of Jonathan’s son.

There are some lessons we will learn from this wonderful act of grace.

PRAYER

I. An Act of Grace

A. A barren place

1. When Jonathan was killed, the nurse took the young boy to flee what would surely be his death.

2. On the run she falls with the young boy breaking both of his feet and crippling him for life.

3. That alone would be a bitter blow.

4. They left the home of a king go to a place called lo-debar, which translates to no pasture.

5. A barren place, out of the way. A barren place nobody notices.

6. A good place to hide. A good place to be forgotten.

7. It’s there David’s soldiers find the young man and bring him to the king.

B. Act of Grace

1. Jonathan’s son comes into the throne room, probably expected to be executed.

2. David tells him he wants to show him

a) English – kindness

b) Hebrew – loyal love or mercy

3. Imagine coming in expecting to die and then hear the king not only give you your life, but all your father’s and grandfather’s lands!

4. No wonder he responds with “why are doing this for a dead dog like me?”

5. His mind can hardly comprehend the grace just shown him.

6. David doesn’t stop there.

a) You will now eat at my table.

b) Not just today, but every day for the rest of your life!

c) Only family ate at the king’s table.

d) David in essence made this young man almost like one of his own sons.

II. Grace in a Barren Place

A. Before salvation, we live in a barren place

1. We all have our barren place

2. Sin has separated us from God.

3. Rom 3:1 tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

4. We are spiritually crippled.

5. We live in the wasteland of sin.

6. Maybe God can’t find us here.

7. Then comes the knock at the door of our heart.

B. Perfect picture of our grace

1. The story of David and Mephibosheth really is a perfect picture of the grace given us.

2. We stand before the king, fully expecting and deserving the notice of our execution only to hear we will be spared and the king is going to make us his son or daughter!

3. We should die, but God shows us grace, mercy.

4. As Karl Menninger says, he gives us his “yes” face.

5. He tells a story about several men riding with President Thomas Jefferson on a cross country journey. They come to a swollen river and an older gentleman standing next to it. He watches as the first few cross the river and then asks one of the men if he would carry him across. The man pulls him up behind him and takes him safely to the other side. As they move away, one of trailing men asked him, “why did you ask the president to carry you across?” The man replied, “I didn’t know he was the president, I just know that some people have a “no” face and some a “yes” face. His was the first “yes” face I saw crossing the river.

6. God gave us his “yes face”

7. He wants to give us grace.

8. He wants to take us safely to the other side.

C. Grace at the table

1. Imagine dinner at David’s house in the years to come.

2. Amnon, witty and cleaver, always an engaging dinner partner.

3. Absolom, handsome and strong.

4. Tamar the beautiful daughter sits between the brothers.

5. Solomon eventually graces the table wisdom already sitting on his shoulders.

6. Joab the great general is a regular guest.

7. And then the shuffle of crippled feet is heard as Methibosheth slowly makes his way to the table. He smiles timidly, still unable to believe he is accepted as part of this family.

8. Once he sits down, no one sees the crippled feet anymore, just the perpetually awed faced of their adopted family member.

9. You know we are Methibosheth… or could be if you’re willing to allow Jesus to lead you from the wasteland to the place of grace.

10. Are you ready to come?