Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Showing Kindness
May 31st, 2008
In the midst of recounting David’s role as king of Israel in 2 Samuel, there is a remarkable story; a beautiful picture of the gospel. Here is the passage beginning in chapter 9.
“And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name as Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the king said, ‘Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.’”
As the story unfolds, David sends for Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. When Mephibosheth arrives, he falls at David’s feet, aware that his grandfather had been David’s enemy and that he had no right to expect any good thing from the king. And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” To Mephibosheth’s great surprise, David restores all the land of Saul to him and gives him a permanent seat at his table. Why did David do this? Simply because of the covenant that he had made with Jonathan (1 Sam. 18:3; 20:42) I wonder what triggered the memory of that covenant and caused David to search for a way to show kindness so someone for Jonathan’s sake?
Do you see the immediate similarities between Mephibosheth and us? One who was an outcast, a cripple and alienated from the king was invited to the king’s table and given a seat among royalty. In an instant, Mephibosheth was granted undeserved status and the promise of life-long provision. Hasn’t God done that with us? Many passages in Scripture say as much, and it is certainly not because of our own goodness or qualifications that mercy was extended to us. Rather, it is on account of Jesus that God shows us kindness.
Then, I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to find another lesson in the text. David remembered his covenant with Jonathan. There had been a bond of deep affection between the two. As Scripture describes is, theirs was a love surpassing that between a woman and a man. Jonathan had been killed in battle years earlier and maybe David was feeling the loss. Whatever the case, something stirred David’s heart to find a way to honor the covenant that he and Jonathan had made. David wanted to find someone to whom he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake.
Have you every struggled to find ways to tell Jesus how much you love him; how grateful you are for the covenant of grace he has made with you? Perhaps today I might stop and think about how to demonstrate kindness to someone, be it my wife, a neighbor, or even someone who feels alienated and undeserving; someone to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Christ.
10 Comments »
Appreciate your insight into this passage of Scripture and appreciate the reminder to love my neighbor at every opportunity so as to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Have always appreciated your humble and respectful treatment of God’s Word both in your ministry and in your songs. So much music today is shallow and lacking depth. It’s nice to know there are other true believers out there that love the Lord Jesus Christ without compromise. Just wanted to say thanks. My husband and I have always enjoyed your music and wish you could come to NY more often - it’s a tuff place. Thanks so much to you and your wife. May God continue to bless as you live in obedience to Him.
Comment by Kim Griffith — June 1, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Thanks, Kim. The truth is that in the end, the only hero in my story is Jesus. I wrote a song on the ‘Somewhere Between’ project to express my frailty and His sufficiency. It is called, ‘In You Alone’.
Steve
Comment by steve — June 2, 2008 @ 8:17 am
Dear Steve,
Excellent article as always.I say this for God to be glorified,the ministry that God has entrusted to you has been such a tremendous blessing in my life,plus the lives of literally thousands.All of you songs are favorites of mine.I have been listen to your music for almost 20 years and God still uses it every time.
I sometimes long so much to be able to show God much more love then I do.I sometimes feel that I do not show enough.Speaking of your article,my friend and I {she has just recently accepted Christ,late fall}both of us enjoy that one song “In Christ Alone.”Truly apart from Him we are nothing.I can’t live one split second without Christ leading and directing me.Another song that truly speaks loud and clear is “Enter In” & “Precious Lamb of Glory,”
We are so privileged to serve quite a God!!!! For God and God alone!!!
May God richly bless you & Marijean,Summer&Josiah!!!
In Christ,Ruth
Comment by Ruth Nikiforovs — June 2, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Steve,
I know that you are sensitive to the things of the Lord..because somehow your meditations have a way of speaking into so many of our lives, as we read comments from the body of Christ.
For me, this message of showing kindness would be my prayer for all of us gathering for the wedding of my step-daughter Katie to Michael. My husband and I believe that they can walk in covenant relationship and under His covering…a household of faith.
Gracias and Merci beaucoup, mon ami.
Natalie
Comment by Natalie — June 3, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Steve, thanks for remaining who you are for so many years, and not shifting and reinventing or trying to be something else. Appreciate your thoughts on this passage too. God bless.
Comment by Adam — June 3, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Dear Steve,
My family and I were very blessed by the concert you gave recently in Singapore. Prior to the concert I had only known your songs for children which we play and sing with our two boys. My son ran up to join you on the stage that night after my wife called out to you during the encore asking you to sing songs for the kids. I have been listening and re-listening to the album ‘Always’ which I bought at the concert. It has been a great blessing to me. I also appreciate the devotion on David and Jonathan that I have just read. I have added your website to my favourites and plan to visit often to receive the good words of Christ through your ministry. Thanks and blessings to you and your family.
Comment by brian chirnside — June 6, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Dear Steve,
My family and I attended your concert in Singapore recently and we were blessed by your ministry.
I’ve followed your songs since the release of your first CD (well, it’s cassette actually, and yes, it was that long ago!). I’ve bought ALL your English CDs/cassettes since, the children CDs, and “Listen to our hearts” where you were been featured.
I also came across some of your old performances on youtube recently - and noticed how young you were then! 20+ years later, when you were in Singapore, it seems to me that your passion for the Lord has not changed - praise the Lord !
Through the years, over the different phases of my Christian walk, I’ve been ministered, encouraged and inspired tremendously by God through your songs. Thank you for yielding yourself to be God’s instrument of blessing to me and my family.
Comment by Khei Hong, CHAN — June 8, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Es muy hermoso meditar en el inmenso amor que Dios tiene para con nosotros.
Gracias Dios también por tenerle, desde niña le escucho, y mi deseo es que el Dios de Paz le bendiga grandemente junto a su familia.
Comment by Elizabeth — June 14, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
I’m Victoria Gold and a mother of two young girls who are ages 3 and 5. We just borrowed a tape called HID’EM IN YOUR HEART and we love to watch and listen to the children and you singing Bible verses. This tape is such a blessing I want to buy some for my ubelieving friends and their children for Christmas or now.
Comment by Victoria Gold — November 5, 2008 @ 7:21 am
Thanks again for the article.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Comment by Carl Lunt — January 16, 2012 @ 10:37 am