Devotionals

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Mephibosheth. It doesn’t really sound like a catchy name. If he’d grown up nowadays, his name would surely have been shortened to “Phibo” or something similar. I suppose he was probably called after his uncle Ishbosheth. Old Uncle “Ish” met a sticky end but that’s another story. If you are still wondering who on earth this person was maybe his father and grandfather would give you a clue. Their names were rather more ordinary and more famous – Jonathan and Saul.
Now the story of Phibo is very interesting to trace through and there’s much to learn from his sad story. At the beginning of 2Samuel 4 his nurse hears the bad news about the royalty and fears a military coup. In order to protect the next in line (and probably save her own skin), she took to her heels and ran. Only in all her hurry she misplaced her step. We’re not told what happened to his nurse but Mephibosheth fell and broke some bones in his feet. The result was that Phibo was left with a physical challenge that turned his life around. The NIV says he was crippled.
We pick his story up again in chapter 9 where David resolves to bless the house of Saul and enquires if there is anyone left from the family for him to bless. By this stage Mephibosheth, astounded that the hunted king should seek him out, refers to himself as a “dead dog”.
It is apparent that in the intervening years the young prince has succumbed to something that destroyed his sense of self-worth: the “I Am Useless” Syndrome. Not only were his bones broken, but also his spirit. His thought was erroneous but understandable. For Mephibosheth, his limitations determined his destiny.
In Ephesians 2:10, we read that we are the workmanship of God. Our purpose is to do the will of God and bring Him glory. Our destiny is ultimately to spend eternity with God Himself. That’s a far cry from the I Am Useless Syndrome that cripples and minds and breaks our spirits. But it’s the truth. So don’t let your limitations determine your destiny – let your Lord, and your love for Him, His Word and His people transform your thinking and shape your destiny!

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