So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet. (II Samuel 9:13 ESV)
Broken Things and Love
I have an old jean jacket. A member of the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation gave it to me as a gift many years ago. Quite stylish, it has a dark brown collar, a nifty Foundation patch, and subtle seaming. At first, I wore it whenever I was out and about. Spring and Autumn, it did its job, and looked alright.
But now it has holes. It needs more patches than can feasibly be sewn. The hems are threadbare, the pockets leak, and the collar has faded to an uglier color.
Now I wear it only when I need a little warmth when doing yardwork.
But it remains my favorite jacket.
Rather than make me ashamed, the imperfections actually make me like it even more.
Mephibosheth reminds me that God loves me in the same way. King David took in the crippled descendent of his enemy. While every else rejected the young man, David loved him. David welcomed Mephibosheth into his home, like family.
Mephibosheth was broken… and David loved him.
I, too, am a broken vessel… and God loves me.
He knows who I am… and loves me enough to kill Jesus on my behalf.
He knows what I am… and loves me enough to adopt me.
He knows why I am… and loves me enough to Justify me, sanctify me, and glorify me.
He loves me because I am broken. I find peace when I remember He loves me because He is my only hope.
Take the Love God grants us.