Authentic With Your Words....

How many of us when we make a promise, make sure to carry through with it to completion? I grew up with the notion of a man’s word being his most authentic possession. When he gives his word, it will come to pass, or at least he will die trying to fulfill it. We live in a day and age where a man’s word is used to temporarily appease or temporarily shut people up. People don’t not see the value their own words, but tend to hold others accountable without applying that same seriousness to their own promises. This hypocrisy destroys a person’s character. It allows them the ability to demand from others, but not require the same accountability from themselves. It’s holding others to a standard in which you are not required to be held. This breeds dissension and jealousy which tends to divide rather than unite. It separates instead of unifying. And you wonder why you see so much strife and violence on the news cast. Racism and division separate people, categorizing the social structure. Here in this passage, David (now king) makes good on his promise to Jonathan, by taking care of his son Mephibosheth. He not only gives him the land Saul (his grandfather) owned, but he also invited him to eat at the king’s table for the rest of his days. This kindness truly showed David’s love for Jonathan. It also showed everyone, including us, David was a man of his word. How do you see the promises you make? Are you one to make promises just to appease, not having the intent to carry them out? Are they just words? Or are you one that when a promise comes out of your mouth, you treat it as an obligation to be fulfilled, and are willing to make it happen, regardless of what it cost you? Words matter, and your promises matter even more. Ask God today to change your heart; to make the promises you make more valuable to you than the ones you make them to. And may you be authentic with your words, not arrogant or proud, just real and reliable. When people come to know you, they will see your trustworthiness, and help point them to our Savior.

1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive–anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”4 “Where is he?” the king asked.“In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)Ziba replied, 11 “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons.12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table. 2 Samuel 9