Spurgeon: May AM
* 05/27/AM
"So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually
at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet."
--2 Samuel 9:13
Mephibosheth was no great ornament to a royal table, yet he
had a continual place at David's board, because the king could
see in his face the features of the beloved Jonathan. Like
Mephibosheth, we may cry unto the King of Glory, "What is Thy
servant, that Thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?"
but still the Lord indulges us with most familiar intercourse
with Himself, because He sees in our countenances the
remembrance of His dearly-beloved Jesus. The Lord's people are
dear for another's sake . Such is the love which the Father
bears to His only begotten, that for His sake He raises His
lowly brethren from poverty and banishment, to courtly
companionship, noble rank, and royal provision. Their deformity
shall not rob them of their privileges . Lameness is no bar to
sonship; the cripple is as much the heir as if he could run like
Asahel. Our right does not limp, though our might may. A king's
table is a noble hiding-place for lame legs, and at the gospel
feast we learn to glory in infirmities, because the power of
Christ resteth upon us. Yet grievous disability may mar the
persons of the best-loved saints . Here is one feasted by David,
and yet so lame in both his feet that he could not go up with
the king when he fled from the city, and was therefore maligned
and injured by his servant Ziba. Saints whose faith is weak, and
whose knowledge is slender, are great losers; they are exposed
to many enemies, and cannot follow the king whithersoever he
goeth. This disease frequently arises from falls . Bad nursing
in their spiritual infancy often causes converts to fall into a
despondency from which they never recover, and sin in other
cases brings broken bones. Lord, help the lame to leap like an
hart, and satisfy all Thy people with the bread of Thy table!