Morning, May 27
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
2 Samuel 9:13
"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!