Kindness

 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.”
2 Samuel 9:7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.9.7.ESV

Saul had been David's mortal enemy, who was out to kill him. When Saul died, David didn't seek revenge on his family. Quite the opposite!

David is a picture of God here. Just as David showed Mephibosheth kindness, so God shows us kindness. Just as Mephibosheth didn't do anything to earn David's kindness, so we haven't done anything to earn God's kindness- on the contrary!

Jonathan and David had been best friends. Just as David showed Mephibosheth kindness for Jonathan's sake, so God shows us kindness for Jesus's sake. Jesus reconciles God and mankind.

Mephibosheth didn't expect anything good from David. We might not expect God to do good to us. Yet David treated Mephibosheth like a prince, and that's how God treats us in Christ.

'Heavenly Father, may we trust in Christ and so receive Your everlasting kindness towards us in Him. Forbid that we should cringe from You, or trust in ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen'

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