The Faithful God

He was a young adult whose father died in battle. Now he had a son of his own, still an infant or perhaps a toddler. And, he couldn’t walk. He lived in Lo Debar, a place so desolate its name means “without pasture.” In an agrarian society such as ancient Israel, a town without a pasture was worthless.

For Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul, it was far from the wealth and privilege his father and grandfather enjoyed. And Lo Debar was far removed from the splendor of Jerusalem, his former home.

He was a forgotten man, known perhaps to his neighbors, but probably not well. They may not have known how he was crippled when a nurse dropped the very young Mephibohsheth while fleeing Jerusalem after Saul and Jonathan died in battle, the king falling on his own sword. The years saw Israel’s attention focused on David.

But David remembered Jonathan, who saved his life when he was on the run from a vengeful monarch. So when things settled down, King David asked, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” (2 Samuel 9:3). Ziba, a former servant of Saul, told David about Jonathan’s son.

And Mephibosheth went from being forgotten to being favored, from living in a nowhere land to dining at the king’s table, and inheriting all of his grandfather’s lands.

Just as David remembered Jonathan, so God remembers His people— His “Israel,” the church today. In very intimate terms, God tells us, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15).

God sent Jesus to redeem the people He created, and He promises that He will never forget us when we cry out to Him. Even if we stray from the path of righteousness, God will bring us back when we repent. He’s a God who remembers because He unconditionally loves you.

Apply It:

Resolve to share God’s love today with someone who might feel they have been forgotten.

Dig Deeper:

2 Samuel 9:1–13; Isaiah 41:9–10; Leviticus 26:40–42

Key Bible Texts

Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. (Isaiah 44:21 KJV)