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Lo-debar
If the area of Lo-debar in the Bible is named because of its description, it likely was a place without much in or around it.
Lo-debar was a place of despair and hardship.
The translation of its name meant “no thing”.
Some thought it meant no pasture. In either case, if it was named due to the description of the locale, it was not the place you would have wanted to run to for setting up your homestead.
There was seemingly nothing around, no pasturelands, not much of anything.
It was, however, where the Philistines had killed King Saul and his son, Jonathan.
It was certainly a place of death and loss.
Here, is where it gets really interesting.
It was also a perfect place to hide away, remain unknown, lie low, and stay safe.
Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth. When he was a young boy, fleeing for his life, he was swept up by his nurse and accidentally dropped in the haste to get away. He was crippled in both feet. To keep the deceased king’s grandson safe from enemies, he is taken to…you guessed it… Lo-debar.
There, far from the palace and royal living, Mephibosheth was living with a man named Machir.
Scholars have long speculated who this headman of the village was. He was very wealthy but most importantly, he was a kind man who provided a safe home for the crippled grandson of the former king.
Mephibosheth lived there for seventeen years.
Possibly no one knew the identity of the young boy. Perhaps, the villagers knew who he likely was, but out of respect for the headsman Machir, no one told.
Over time King David inquires about any remaining family of Jonathan. He loved Jonathan like a brother and remembered their pledge of friendship. He learns of Mephibosheth and gets a message to him. When Mephibosheth arrives, he falls before David in reverence and says he is David’s servant. Perhaps, over the years, he heard whispered tales of how his own grandfather King Saul had been jealous of the now King David, and had even tried to kill him.
Revenge was not David’s plan:
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” 2 Samuel 9:7 NKJV
This young man, Mephibosheth, who is himself the father of a young boy, Micha, must be shocked by the unexpected kindness of King David.
To know that all is forgiven and forgotten. Kindness and Love rule. Not only is everything that once belonged to Mephibosheth’s family restored, but King David has him sit continually at the king’s own table. to dine with him every day from now onward.
It is a tale of amazing love and grace.
Let us think for a moment of how many of us are living in Lo-debars of our own making.
Poor decisions have brought us there, or perhaps, our addictions contributed to our current location.
Then again, maybe, like Mephibosheth, due to no fault of your own, you ended up in Lo-debar.
Are you looking around at the bleakness of the landscape in your own life?
Do you feel that there is nothing in it of interest?
Do you feel the hopelessness, emptiness, and barrenness of your life there?
There is a KING of all KINGS who is calling to you.
He is restoring to you all and more that there is of goodness and forgiveness.
All that destroyed and turned your life toward hell is wiped away and forgiven when you call upon Him and through Christ seek forgiveness.
The KING wants to bring you into His fellowship.
He throws the palace doors open and welcomes YOU in. He pulls you into His Arms, and puts you at His Table for an eternal feast of fellowship, and joy in the Presence of God.
You are HOME!!
YET…
There are so many who shake their heads NO!
Maybe, they shake their fists at the invitation as well. They hide away in Lo-debar’s barrenness and mourn.
Lo-debar or Heaven. Despair or Joy.
What will YOU decide?
Just—
COME HOME!!