Life: Hope needed

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for April 13 focuses on 2 Samuel 9:6-13.

The last words heard from Malaysia Flight 370 occurred at 1:19 p.m. March 8. “All right, good night.” Four simple words that would appear to mean, “All is well.” We now know, all was not well.

The world watched as family and friends clung to the hope that somehow the airplane landed safely and all aboard were alive, but that was not to be. That hope, as unfounded as it was, moved them forward.

No matter who we are or where we live, we all need hope—to believe life will be better, the pain of grief will end, a job is coming, families can be restored, the wayward child will return home.

This week’s lesson assures us God offers hope.

Hope offered

Saul was the first king of Israel. He was proud, paranoid and disobedient to God. Before he died, Saul knew David would succeed him as king. He tried to kill David to prevent this from happening. David could have killed Saul on more than one occasion, but he refused to do so, because he knew Saul was God’s anointed.

Saul’s son, Jonathan, was David’s best friend. He could not conceive his father sought to kill David. You can read the full story of Jonathan warning David to flee from his father in 1 Samuel 19 and 20. David promised Jonathan kindness to him or his family.

Now, Saul and Jonathan are dead. Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, was 5 years old when his father died in battle. He became lame in both feet when his nurse fell while trying to flee with the child (2 Samuel 4:4).

Fast-forward several years to David asking if there is anyone left of the house of Saul to whom he could show kindness in keeping with his promise to Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:1). He discovers a son still living who is brought to him.

What must have been going through Mephibosheth’s mind? In that day, deposed kings along with their family members were killed, so they could not try to regain the throne. The lame had low status in society because they were a drain. Deformity also was seen as something caused by sin.

David must have sensed fear in the man who bowed before him, because his first words were, “Don’t be afraid.” The king told Mephibosheth he would be shown kindness for the sake of his father, Jonathan. It doesn’t stop there. David returned to Saul’s grandson all the land that belonged to Saul, which probably was considerable. He always ate at the king’s table. David offered him hope.

Hope questioned

In one short conversation, hope is offered to a disgraced, poor, lame man, but he questions it. Mephibosheth’s life had been hard. He didn’t see himself as a person of worth. He asks the king, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8).

We can relate to Mephibosheth when we feel hopeless. Have you ever been so down you thought there was no way up? You lose your job. Debt begins to pile up. A bad diagnosis comes from the doctor. Nothing good seems to be happening in your life, and you may be feeling like a dead dog no one notices. Then comes a glimmer of hope, and you ask yourself, “Is it possible?”

Hope embraced

What David offered was unheard of in that culture. No conquering king gave back the spoils of war. No king welcomed an heir of a former king into his palace to sit at his table. But that is exactly what King David did.

David displayed the compassion of Christ by seeing Mephibosheth as a person worthy of love and respect. He did not see a dead dog in front of him, but the child of his dear friend to whom he promised kindness.

Hope offered must be embraced for it to make a difference in a life. Mephibosheth could have returned to the house of Makir and continued in a hopeless state. But he chose hope instead.

He no longer lived in disgrace. No longer would people look down on him. He no longer wondered where his next meal was coming from. He no longer feared the future. King David promised to care for him to the end of his life.

The lesson for us from this story is embrace hope when it is offered. Let go of the past, which holds us captive to hopelessness. Forgive those who have wronged you. Forgive yourself. Be kind to a neighbor. Volunteer in a ministry of your church. Reach out to others. Our perceptions of ourselves can be as disabling as a physical disability. God offers you hope. Will you receive the hope he offers?