PLACE OF GRACE
Opening Prayer
Open your heart to God’s gaze today in a time of repentance before God as you come before his holy Word.
Read 2 Samuel 19:18b–30
18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”
22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also 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. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26 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. 27 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. 28 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?”
29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Can you remember a time when you gloated about someone else’s sin? Why did you do it? Did it made you feel better?David goes back to his homeland, but before he can have a rest and grab a coffee break he is faced with people prob-lems. Shimei knows he has sinned against David and wants to make this known. He falls to the ground in repentance and is upfront with David about his sins (18–20). But Abishai is quick to call it all into question. Have you noticed how often this happens in life? People want to discredit a repentant person by pointing out more faults (21).
David is wise and sees that there is a blame game going on here. He reminds Abishai that he is the king and the one who exercises authority for the good of the people. He shows grace towards both Abishai and Shimei (22,23).
Mephibosheth is another who experienced much grace from David (2 Sam. 9) and is gracious in his response to the matter of the land being divided (24–30). His desire is to serve the king.
Jesus was willing to lay down his majesty in order that we might live. He was living for the kingdom of God that we might live in a place of grace.
Apply
Are there people whom you often find yourself criticizing? Choose to see them through God’s eyes today and give them an extra dose of grace.
Closing prayer
Father, I thank You for the unmerited grace You have given me. Teach me how to extend Your grace to those around me.
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