What Does Great Faith Look Like?

Background:

David had just finished taking down all of Israel’s enemies. With no more battles or enemies to be concerned about, he was able to focus on taking care of people within is kingdom. So first thing he does is look for ways he can honor his late best friend, Jonathan, and show them God’s kindness.

David came across a servant of Sauls’ household, Ziba, who told him of one of Jonathan’s sons, Mephibosheth, but he’s lame in both feet. So David had him brought to him. Upon his arrival, David gave Mephibosheth everything that belonged to his grandfather, Saul, and had Ziba and his (large) family take care of the land and fields for him. In addition, David insisted that Mephibosheth always eat with him at his table.

In the course of time, one of David’s sons took over, causing David and his officials to flee. As they were leaving, Ziba met them with donkeys to ride and supplies for their journey. He lied to the king about Mephibosheth, saying he wasn’t there with him because he’s looking forward to them leaving for hopes that his grandfather’s kingdom will now be reinstated. In response to this news, David gave him everything that belonged to Mephibosheth.

Coming up to our passage today, David’s evil son was dead, and David was returning to Jerusalem as king:

Mephibosheth’s Great Faith

Mephibosheth, King Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely (gross!). When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” 

He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba, my servant, betrayed me. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.” Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.” —2 Samuel 19:24-30

Wow! What love and respect for his king! Let his servant Ziba take everything, now that his lord the king has returned home safely, that’s awesome! It reminds me of that song “Give Me Jesus”: “You can have all this world. Just give me Jesus.” What faith and disconnection from all his wealth and worldly possessions! Wow!

Others’ Great Faith

Some other places where we read about people having great faith have all surprised the person in whom they hold that great faith. For instance, when the Centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, he humbled himself before the Lord, insisting that he’s not worthy of Jesus visiting his home, but trusted that if He just say the word, that his servant would be healed. This surprised Jesus (scripture even says that Jesus was amazed at this!), and it caused Him to compare the great faith of this Roman, Gentile soldier to the lack of faith from Jesus’ own people.

Such Great Faith

Mephibosheth had such great faith in David’s return that he fasted from grooming/cleaning himself from the day his king left to the day he returned home safely. Sure, that sounds pretty gross by today’s standards (and maybe it was even by their standards, since it was different enough to mention), but in addition, he:

• Humbled himself
• Trusted and honored the king’s judgment
• Claimed no rights in his defense
• Revealed the Truth when asked why he didn’t accompany him

I’m just in awe, for nowhere else in the Old Testament, other than David (and maybe Joshua, Abraham and the prophets), have I ever heard of anybody having such great faith! I feel like how Jesus must have felt when He witnessed the great faith of the Centurion who refused to let Jesus follow him to his house, and insisted that if Jesus just said the word, he knew that his servant would be healed. Wow!

Seriously, could you do that? I mean, sure, Mephibosheth sat at David’s table, but that was it. He was willing to give up his possessions, not only for the sake of the king, but even to somebody who he said betrayed him. Let him have everything, I don’t care…I have my king.

Reflection:

1. If you haven’t done so, could you literally give up everything you have for Jesus? If you have done so, have you really? If not, what are you holding back, and why?
2. Could you give your possessions to one who betrayed you, and not care what he does with them?
3. Do you trust Jesus enough to say, “do whatever you wish (to me)”?

…some things to pray about…