“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” - Numbers 23:19 (NIV).
Today when you hear of land battles and all the intrigues involved to snatch it from legitimate owners you might think this mischief started only yesterday. Land is one of those valued possessions which through history has always attracted the worst out of some. After Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, who was crippled had been presented to David by his guardian Ziba, in recognition of his father’s role in his life, he decided “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table” (2 Samuel 9:3-7).
King’s Saul land was apparently under threat. But David made a promise to safeguard all under the custody of his grandson.
Later in his reign King David was overthrown and along his escape route he met Ziba, the guardian of Mephibosheth, who reported to him that Saul’s grandson was “staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom” (2 Samuel 16:3). Hurt at the apparent betrayal, “Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours” (vv 4). In other words Saul’s land had now slipped into the hands of a guardian.
But then it was nothing but a ruse. For Ziba wanted to gain influence over David and snatch Saul’s land. Later when David was restored as King he discovered that Mephibosheth had never for once deserted him. King David came to know when he met him and heard his side of the story, after he shared, “Ziba my servant betrayed me. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish” (2 Samuel 19:26). Once he got to know the full story, David rescinded the earlier offer to Ziba, and “The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land” (vv 29).
King David decided to keep his word, and not abandon Mephibosheth. It can be easy to take that lightly but when one comes across common instances of promises that are withdrawn once circumstances change, David’s character outshines. The lesson here is that even in a fickle word, full of impostors, we still can purpose to be people of our word.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that you help me be a person who keeps my word regardless of circumstances, just as was King David, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
