This month’s letter is emotional and difficult for Tom & I. So those who know me should expect I’m going to first share something I saw from a Christian comedian the other day because laughter is still the way to go! Ha!Ha! It’s so true! And it fit well with the Bible study we recently had studying the lives of King Saul and David. To share a little context, David had been anointed by God, while Saul was being “transitioned.” (See what I did there? wink wink) Jonathan was King Saul’s son. Their friendship was true, and godly. Upon meeting David, Jonathan literally felt the covenant of their friendship sealed in his heart. The years passed, and King Saul’s jealousy grew as David continued to be anointed by God, and loved by the people. Jonathan time and time again stood up to his father proving his friendship with David was genuine. King Saul repeatedly tried to have David killed. Yet it was the kings own son, Jonathan, who helped his dear friend David escape. After King Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, David rose to his rightful place as the anointed king. When news of King Saul and Jonathan’s death reached Israel, the nurse for Mephibosheth, (Jonathan’s 5 year old son) was terrified the child would be killed so she whisked him away to hide. Back then they didn’t have election run-offs. Any possible lingering heirs were killed to avoid claims to the throne. Years later, when Mephibosheth was found living in obscurity in a little village called Lo-debar, King David summoned him. Mephibosheth must have feared his impending execution as he came before David. The conversation begins in 2 Samuel 9:6, “Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So 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.” Mephibosheth was overwhelmed! He responds to David in astonishment in verse 8 “Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” Even more amazing, as the story goes, when the young Mephibosheth’s nurse rushed to hide him, she either dropped him or somehow injured his feet while desperately fleeing. Mephibosheth was not only hiding in the small village of Lo-debar afraid of execution but he was also lame, unable to walk since childhood from the injury! The handicapped were certainly not a protected or exalted class of citizens at that time. Yet David only seemed to look upon his dear friend’s son with love as we hear him continue in verse 11 to declare that ‘Mephibosheth shall eat bread at my table always.’ David goes on to say, “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.” WOW! The covenant of friendship was unbreakable between David and Jonathan. David made a commitment to stand by his friend, and neither death nor possible claims to the throne, nor prejudice of the lame could sway David from removing his beloved friend’s son from the table. Likewise, there are broken, hurting, marginalized people in every city across our nation. They are often ignored, overlooked, despised and abused. Some are there due to their own decisions and mistakes, others, like Mephibosheth, have been dropped by another person who was supposed to take care of them. Jesus sees the broken and He calls us, His followers, to “go to Lo-debar.” Our Savior calls us to bring a message of hope to the darkest corners of our communities where the sick and broken are in hiding. The Lord invites “whosoever will” into His Kingdom, not as peasants to be exploited but as children to be adopted and given a forever seat at the table. Tom and I are grateful for God’s unyielding love. We stand faithfully in His word. Here’s the tough news; we have learned that the cancer in my throat has returned and metastasized to my back, and is diagnosed as stage 4. The prognosis is less than 20% survival. At this time traditional treatments are complete. After much prayer and consultation, I have peacefully chosen once again to surrender this to God giving Him all the room to move in my life. Cancer is a strong beast. I’ve been asked if I’m afraid of a battle against such a strong foe. As a sweet friend and ministry partner in OKC reminded me, “David never really knew the strength of Goliath. He was too focused on the strength of God.” AMEN!!! Tom and I are forever humbled you have chosen to join us sitting at the Innovative Truth table. I know you will ask what you can do to help. That’s easy. WE SINCERELY ASK YOU TO STAY AT THE TABLE WITH US! Please stay at the table with us in prayer as God guides every step for your ministry. Please stay at the table in thanksgiving for all the lives your ministry has changed as they deepen their relationships with God. Please stay at the table with your financial gifts of love so we may continue to follow His will. Please invite others to join us at the table so they too may rejoice in the miracles of healing God is doing through your ministry. Please stay at the table with us as we find our way to Lo-debar and continue to courageously battle any foe, rising each day to say to the Lord, “I will answer your call Lord! I will find your children in need and I will go to Lo-debar!” Thank your for your ongoing support of Innovative Truth. YOU are changing lives. With Love,
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2023
Categories |