2 Samuel 9:8

New International Version (NIV)

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

For meditation

Genuine appreciation is the mother of thankfulness. It begins with the question, Who am I? Nobody can be truly thankful without a proper understanding of their unworthiness. They must also recognize the nature and extent of what they have received.

No one can enter the gates of the Almighty without thanksgiving and praise (Psa. 100:4). This posture requires a complete grasp of His grace through Christ Jesus.

Consider Mephibosheth before King David (2 Sam. 9:6-13). Listen to the heart of Jonathan’s crippled son as he responds to the king’s kindness (8). You will then know why Mephibosheth called himself a dead dog. Who was he but a despised invalid among his people? He was unclean, unfit for any good thing, and disqualified for royal engagement. Yet, he found favor with the king.

How could King David notice him, call him to His palace, and give him his family inheritance and a seat among the king’s men at his table (9-10)? How could it be but for grace! That is how amazing grace is, my friend. If you have not grasped it yet, after all Christ has done for you and me—worms like us, what will get you there?

King David’s gesture blew Mephibosheth’s mind and overwhelmed him, prompting profuse appreciation. How could he not always be thankful to the King?

How about us? Do we understand the full extent of what God has done for us in Christ (Jn. 3:16; Rm. 5:8; Eph. 2:1, 5)? If only we could appreciate our total depravity (Rm. 1:21-32) and nothingness (Eph. 2:12-13) before His mercy and grace embraced us at Calvary, we would see ourselves like Mephibosheth. We would marvel how the King of kings would notice dead dogs like us and call us to Himself (Eph. 1:4-5) and give us an inheritance in His Son (Rm. 8:17), and a place at His table forever.  

A closer look today, interrogating ourselves with these questions, might help shape our perspective and posture in life and worship. How appreciative am I to God for His Son, Jesus Christ? How thankful? Does it show in my life, my service, and my giving? Does it influence my appreciation of others?  

May you be able to extend grace to others, as David did to Mephibosheth. He appreciated God’s grace (1 Chron. 29:14). Therefore, if your heart is bubbling with thanksgiving and praise as you gain a new perspective of yourself in the face of Christ, give glory to God. Worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Never stop thanking Him.

Pray with Me

Thank you, my gracious and merciful Savior. All glory and praise belong to you. I bring my offering of thanksgiving, the fruit of my heart and mouth. Receive all that I bring and be magnified. Amen.

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