How Mephibosheth Became Disabled
The Old Testament teaches about a child who suddenly became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth, and he was a member of the royal family. His grandfather, King Saul, lost favor with God, and he was killed in a battle along with his sons; his son's included Mephibosheth's father, Jonathan. When the remaining family at home heard about the events, they became afraid. Mephibosheth, who was five years old, was being cared for by a nurse. She picked him up and went to flee, but she dropped him. Both of his feet were broken. He became disabled and could never walk again (2 Samuel 4:4).
When you lose some of your abilities, or love and care for come one who has become disabled, life will radically change. Grief comes along with any loss, and you may spend some time in mourning. Try not to let a time of mourning become a lifelong process. Although disability can affect your vocation, your standard of living, your relationships, your self-esteem and more, there is hope.
I imagine that Mephibosheth's injury was not only painful but emotionally devastating. He could not play like other children. His dreams of what he wanted to do when he grew up suddenly were shattered. Being unable to walk would affect his ability to work and to live a normal life.
How God Took Care of Mephibosheth
Years later, when Mephibosheth was an adult, King David was on the throne of Israel. Mephibosheth lived a life not only affected by disability, but also by fear. As a grandson of the former king, he was considered a threat to the new king. He lived in hiding in an impoverished community, hoping not to be found out.
But David remembered his friendship with Mephibosheth's father, Jonathan. He said, "Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Samuel 9:1). One of the servants in David's palace knew about Mephibosheth, and David ordered the former King's grandson to be brought into his presence.
When Mephibosheth arrived, he was probably afraid. He may have thought he would be killed. But David said, "Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly" (2 Samuel 9:7).
How God Will Take Care of You
You may have become suddenly disabled, like Mephibosheth, or you may be caring for someone with a disability. Do not fear. God will surely show you and your family kindness for the sake of his Son, Jesus. God's going to take care of you. Trust that he's leading you the right way even during the difficult times. He's planned out all your days for good. It may seem dark to you as it did to Mephibosheth. He was living in hiding for many years. But at just the right time, God reached out to him through King David. Because of God's blessing, Mephibosheth was no longer living in poverty, he overcame discouragement, and he was honored by his relationship to the king.
If you have faith in Christ, You also have a relationship with the King of Kings. Living with a disability is challenging, but hold on to the hope of Christ. Declare, "God remembers me and is supplying all of my needs." Pray for wisdom when you feel discouraged so that you can understand the truth about God's power. He wants us to have a good life, so keep believing this. The Bible doesn't tell us that Mephibosheth ever gained the ability to walk, but God gave him a good life.
How God Delivers People from Disability
Sometimes God will care for us in our disability and take care of all our needs as he did for Mephibosheth. At other times, God will deliver us from the struggle. In the New Testament, we learn about the healing power of Jesus. When Jesus walked the earth, people flocked to him from all around because they heard God's power was with him to heal the sick. In the book of Luke, a paralyzed man came to him. He had four friends carry him to the place where Jesus was teaching. The house was so full, and they could not get near him. So they went up on the roof and cut a hole in it to lower the man down. Jesus was greatly impressed by their faith. He said to the man, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20). At this, some of the teachers of the religious law at the time became upset and, in their thoughts, questioned Jesus' authority to forgive, and consequently to heal the man.
Sometimes we do the same thing. We know about Christ's precious blood, but we still feel guilty for something we did. We know God has to power to heal, but we question if he can and is willing to do it for us? Jesus answered the teachers of the law, saying: "‘Why are you thinking this in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven you," or to say, "Get up and walk?" But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' He told the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.' Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God" (Luke 5:22-25).
When we think that God can't or won't take care of us or that God can't heal us, we're giving into temptation. We need to pray the Lord's prayer which says, "Lead us not into temptation…" We need to have faith, like the man Jesus healed. We also need to praise God because this is what he created us to do; it helps us to feel better, encourages our spirits, and prepares us for the miracles of God.
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