Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
Mephibosheth (9:1-13) - Mephibosheth’s introduction to the story was in 2 Samuel 4:4 with a note that he fell and became disabled in both feet at age five. Now, basking in victories and success on every side, David asks a wonderful kingdom question: “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” He wanted to honor his friend Jonathan. Mephibosheth has nothing to offer the king—he is lame in both feet. Yet the purpose is not transactional; it is transformational. Something happens when we are kind for kindness’ sake and gracious for grace’s sake—to the recipients of that kindness and grace, and to the givers of it. This is imitating Christ rather than imitating the world.
Wrong story (10:1-4) - The Ammonite king dies and is replaced by his son. David plans to ally with him, just as he had with the father. But the new Ammonite king tells himself a story about why David’s greeting party has been sent that does not reflect reality. His reaction is so out of place that it sets off war between his people and Israel. It’s not the case that we should always believe the best about people—sometimes that is a naive approach that has its own problems. Still, the young Ammonite king believes the worst and never tests his assumptions. Disaster ensues.
The purpose of blessing (Psalm 72:17) - In a psalm celebrating the successes of Solomon’s reign, we find tucked within the following: “Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.” It is reminiscent of God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3 in which God promises Abram that He will bless him and make his name great and that all nations/peoples will be blessed through him. This is the biblical purpose of blessing—that others will be blessed as a result.
Questions:
When have you experience kindness for kindness’ sake?
What blessings has God given you that you have or can channel toward blessing others?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing me. Help me bless others. Help me look for opportunities to show your kindness to others. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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