Day 10: "I Will Show You Kindness"

1 Samuel 9:7

And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always." (ESV)

Years before saying this, David had made a promise to his best friend Jonathan to show the steadfast love of God to him and his family forever (1 Samuel 20:12-17 [you should read it]). Later David became the king of Israel but by then Jonathan had been killed so David started asking questions to see if any of Jonathan's family was still alive so he could fulfill his promise. A servant told him where to find Mephibosheth, Jonathan's only living son. David sent for him and made the promise above, and he kept it. He didn't just give him land and send servants to care for it but he gave him a seat at his table with his sons, to sit there always.
The Bible tell's us twice that Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet so he couldn't do much to replay David, but David didn't expect anything; he just cared for Maphiboshelth out of love for Johnathan, and faithfulness to his promise. He showed him kindness, not because of what he did, but because of who his father was.

The first time I remember hearing this story was at a church summer camp. My pastor pointed out that striking reflection of God's grace to mankind. God lavishes His love on us, calls us to His family (1 John 3:1), and offers us an inheritance with His Son (Romans 8:17), and  not because of what we have done or can do (remember? Mephibosheth was crippled,) but because of who we are to Him, because of who our father is.
So don't be afraid; God welcomes you freely; you don't have to earn his grace, He loves you for who you are and nothing will ever change that.
-L.