Week 16: No Fibbing Mephibosheth

Way back when, my church put on a little Christmas musical called, "No Fibbing Mephibosheth". The premise is that even Mephibosheth, a physically-disabled boy could and would be accepted into the presence of Jesus on the night of his birth and for the rest of his life. When we put this on, I was seriously disappointed because I had to be a shepherd - a boy - I digress, but as I ran across the name, in 2 Samuel 4:4, the main song came flooding back:

"No fibbing Mephibosheth, you are invited to Bethlehem. Don't worry you've passed the test, just by being His child. So bring all the blind, the lame, they're all precious in Jesus name..."

Now why do I remember all this - no clue. It probably has to do with the months of practice that went into this particular Sunday School Christmas pageant! (I wish I was kidding about the months part.) So what does this particular memory have to do with this week's reading about David running from Saul, and eventually becoming king? Not sure, but it is part of the story that makes that Christmas song so true. David willingness and desire to follow God, lead to the greatest gift of all for us. We see repeated the opportunities (1 Samuel 24: 1-22; 1 Samuel 26: 1-25) that David has to take Saul, but he refuses to kill God's anointed - even if that man is trying to kill him!

David shows his reliance on the Lord in his comment to Saul after he admitted to taking his spear instead of his life, "Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all of my troubles." (1 Samuel 26:24).  He is not looking for Saul's favor or acceptance, David is putting his trust in God to guide him out of this trouble with Saul. What faith David shows as he faces his persecutor.

On of my favorite verses from the week (other than the Mephibosheth one...) is Psalm 56:4:

"I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?"

I think that I'm going to pray this verse this week, so that I may remember to put my trust in God and His promises and strength, and because I have a big presentation on Thursday. With my trust in God for the bigger picture of my life, why should I be afraid of such a little thing, right?