Meat and Potatoes Vs. Soul Food

O. T. #698  "Meat and Potatoes Vs. Soul Food"
February 18, 2016
2 Samuel 9-Part 3
And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David's table, like one of the king's own sons.  2 Samuel 9:11

LET IT GLOW

Meat and potatoes are my kind of food, now. Especially if it is a roast with carrots, too. Yum!  But it only satisfies the body. We are hungry for something more.What can satisfy the soul? We need some soul food for that. Feet and tables will do it. Yep, that's what I said, feet and tables instead of meat and potatoes. Find out more as you join me at the Master's table...

Before we move on, there were a few more lessons and spiritual truths which I wanted to share. As we have previously noted, Mephibosheth was King Saul's grandson, and heir to the throne of Israel, but David did not desire to kill the young man who would have been a rival to his throne.
It was such an unusual thing, for a king to invite this man who was such. However, he was also the son of David's best friend. With the love for his friend in his heart, David wanted to share it with Meph by welcoming him to his table to eat daily as a son.

With that said about the king's table, David's table, I realized this is not the only table mentioned in the Bible. (Women like an attractive dinner table.)
In the New Testament, here are some other tables mentioned:

• Matthew 15:27-A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to help her daughter who was demon possessed. When He did not answer her, the mother mentions that the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master's table. Jesus, seeing her great faith, held the girl.
• Matthew 21:12-As Jesus entered the city of Bethphage, He was praised along the way. Then upon entering the Temple, He encountered the moneychangers selling doves for offerings. Jesus turned the tables over because they were making a profit instead of making the Temple a house of prayer.
• Luke 16:21-Jesus tells about the rich man and a poor beggar Lazarus who had sores. Lazarus desired to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, although it did not happen before they both died. You can read the rest of the story.
• Luke 22:21-Jesus was with the 12 apostles in the upper room eating the Passover together. He says that the hand of His betrayer was at that table
• Luke 22:30-Jesus tells His disciples that they will be with Him in God's kingdom (heaven) and would eat and drink at His table.
• 1 Corinthians 10:21-Paul tells this church that they cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils, nor partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons, too. He continues to say that things are permissible but not everything is beneficial.

Which type of table do we eat at or desire to eat?
I appreciate your faithfulness in joining me as we eat at our Master's table, sharing spiritual food together. There is always a luscious crumb that I receive for the day.

LET IT GROW

Now that the table's set, shall we dine?
What was the challenge that Mephibosheth faced daily, throughout the day? He was crippled in both feet. He had to have some form of assistance in order to move around. I don't know that they had wheelchairs in that time or not, but he had to depend on others for help, at any rate.

In J. Vernon McGee's commentary, First and Second Samuel, he brings out these points from this chapter:

1. A child of God recognizes that he is also a cripple in God's sight. Our feet have led us astray, as in Isaiah 53:6.
2. David extended kindness to Mephibosheth for the sake of Jonathan. God has saved us because of another-the Lord Jesus Christ. We are accepted in the beloved, according to Ephesians 1:6.
3. David said nothing about the lame feet of Mephibosheth. God forgives our sin because it is blotted out by the blood of Jesus. They will be remembered no more (Heb. 10:17).
4. Mephibosheth said nothing about his lame feet. What do you think the two men talked about when they sat at the table. Probably it was Jonathan, the one whom they both loved. Do we Christians delight talking about the one who accepts us as we are, to eat at His table?
5. Others said nothing about Mephibosheth's lame feet. There was a large company that ate at the king's table. Their hearts went out in love to this young man. Love bears all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Cor. 13:7-8).

Christ is sending out an invitation today into the highways and by ways and out into the streets of our towns. "Come to My table of salvation just as you are, crippled, and I will give you rest," is the message. "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink," Jesus said in John 7:37.

When we fail in our walk, we can turn to Christ for forgiveness and acceptance.
His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me. On it goes...(as the song says).
His mercy is new every morning. His loving kindness never ends.

Those meat and potatoes were too good to pass up. I just had to share them from His table.

LET IT GO

Come, though crippled with sin, to the Lord's table for an extra serving of grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness.

Eat daily at the Master's table-God's Word.

Share with others this good soul food.