FICKLE
II Samuel 16:1, 3-4a
"When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddle donkeys...bread...raisins...summer fruit...and wine. Then the king said, 'And where is your master's son?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Indeed he is saying in Jerusalem, for he said, "Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me." ' So the king said to Ziba, 'Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.' "
Remember the story of Mephibosheth. When David was looking for a descendant of Jonathan to bless, Ziba, who was Saul's servant, brought Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, to the king. David gave Mephibosheth a place of honor at the king's table (see II Samuel 9). Now that it seems that Absalom is in command and the king is defeated, Mephibosheth has switched loyalties and joined Absalom in his rebellion, in the hope that Absalom would restore the kingdom of Saul to Mephibosheth. It was a pipe dream. Ziba received David's blessing because he remained loyal to the king. Later, after Absalom was defeated and David returned to Jerusalem, he confronted Mephibosheth. At that point, Mephibosheth switched loyalty back to David, and blamed Ziba saying that Ziba had deceived him (see II Samuel 19:24-30). It happens. People, like Mephibosheth, are fickle – always looking out for their own interest and throwing their lot in with whatever seems the most advantageous. They are fickle in their loyalties. You treat them good and they end up abandoning you for someone else who seems to offer them a better deal. They are also fickle with God. One day they are serving the God who has blessed them, and the next thing you know, they are serving themselves or the devil. When things don't go well in their rebellion, they come back to God. But their lives – like Mephibosheth – are diminished by their fickleness. It pays to stay true to Jesus through both the good and the bad times. He is the rewarder of those who diligently – with intentional persistence – seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Fickleness – lack of loyal dedication or loyalty – shows lack of character.
[end]
Have an "unficle" day. Love you.
II Samuel 16:1, 3-4a
"When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddle donkeys...bread...raisins...summer fruit...and wine. Then the king said, 'And where is your master's son?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Indeed he is saying in Jerusalem, for he said, "Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me." ' So the king said to Ziba, 'Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.' "
Remember the story of Mephibosheth. When David was looking for a descendant of Jonathan to bless, Ziba, who was Saul's servant, brought Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, to the king. David gave Mephibosheth a place of honor at the king's table (see II Samuel 9). Now that it seems that Absalom is in command and the king is defeated, Mephibosheth has switched loyalties and joined Absalom in his rebellion, in the hope that Absalom would restore the kingdom of Saul to Mephibosheth. It was a pipe dream. Ziba received David's blessing because he remained loyal to the king. Later, after Absalom was defeated and David returned to Jerusalem, he confronted Mephibosheth. At that point, Mephibosheth switched loyalty back to David, and blamed Ziba saying that Ziba had deceived him (see II Samuel 19:24-30). It happens. People, like Mephibosheth, are fickle – always looking out for their own interest and throwing their lot in with whatever seems the most advantageous. They are fickle in their loyalties. You treat them good and they end up abandoning you for someone else who seems to offer them a better deal. They are also fickle with God. One day they are serving the God who has blessed them, and the next thing you know, they are serving themselves or the devil. When things don't go well in their rebellion, they come back to God. But their lives – like Mephibosheth – are diminished by their fickleness. It pays to stay true to Jesus through both the good and the bad times. He is the rewarder of those who diligently – with intentional persistence – seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Fickleness – lack of loyal dedication or loyalty – shows lack of character.
[end]
Have an "unficle" day. Love you.
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