Wednesday, February 9, 2011

2011 February 9 - Morning Manna

"And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons" (2 Samuel 9:1-11).

Today's Morsel:  King David, weary from constant demands on his time, finally gets a few minutes to himself.  He sits down, takes a deep breath, and starts to think.  Maybe he began to ponder the strategy for the next battle. Or maybe he was thinking about how bad his men needed a break.  But then something deep within hit him.  Maybe he began to think about his closest friend, Jonathan.  Maybe that last battle was tough and he thought to himself, if I only had Jonathan, we could have really waxed them.  But something gripped his heart.  Was there any left of Saul's household that he could show kindness to.  David, a man after God's own heart, was gripped by compassion.  He became concerned for the house of Saul.  Sympathy got a hold of his heart strings and he wanted to show kindness.  Compassion is the quickest way to the heart of God.  Over and over in the Bible, it is confirmed throughout history, that when we show kindness and consideration for others, it touches the deepest part of the heart of God.  Compassion costs you.  It costs you to provide that needed meal.  It costs you to share some of your time.  It costs you to help where others won't.  It costs you giving a hug or a warm hand shake when others are hurting.  Mother Teresa said, " I have come more and more to realize that being unwanted is the worst disease that any human being can experience."  If we are to be like Christ, we must renew our compassion for the lost and hurting each day.  It's only by keeping our minds stayed on Jesus that we understand how it is possible to fulfill the royal law and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Sing:  They were so tired and weary, lost and scattered everywhere, to the Master they were just like sheep, without a Shepherd's care.  He felt of their infirmity, so much, that it made him weep, His heart was filled with pity and compassion for His sheep.

Chorus: Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost I pray.  For the millions who are lost and cannot find their way.  Melt my calloused heart with love no matter what the cost, Lord, please move me with compassion for the lost.

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