THE PAIN OF THE PAST

In an instant the royal house of Saul was destroyed! Back home, at the palace, panic reigned as everyone attached to the household fled. And so too, little five year old prince Mephibosheth and his nurse. But somehow, as she fled, she "dropped" Mephibosheth, and he was crippled for the rest of his life. I find it somewhat suspicious and disturbing that a sturdy, five year old can be so badly maimed from a fall. Her royal responsibility had become an encumbrance, a nuisance. They landed up in Lo Debar (a place of no consequence, where nothing good lived or happened, is a good translation). Nothingville really. Banished and hiding, crippled and stripped of his inheritance, a piece of news reached him one day. King David has been enquiring after him. Fearful and uncertain he was transported to the royal court. Was he too going to be executed like the rest of his family? But David had only one thing on his mind: "Is there anyone still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show GOD'S KINDNESS?" (2 Samuel 9). God's kindness had been waiting in the wings to come on stage at the right moment. Restoration in spite of his crippled condition. Sitting at the table of the king among princes! Had someone in your past "dropped" you and maimed, crippled you emotionally for what felt like a life sentence? The good news is coming your way today: God's kindness is waiting for you to accept the invitation to dine at the King's Table! Yes, beneath the table you may have a "condition", but above the table you have "position". A prince among princes is how the King considers you! Jesus Himself declared: "Righteousness is available [to you] because I go to the Father" (John 16:10) to intercede for you in your pain that just would not let go. To request your restoration. "I have told you all this", Jesus said, "so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. BUT, TAKE HEART, because I have overcome the world" (verse 33). If we accept His peace, the crippling pain is of no consequence. You may have had very little true joy in your life, but again Jesus invites you, "Ask, using My Name, and you will have abundant joy" (verse 24). The healing of heaven, God's peace and joy is yours for the asking. Be sure of this: heaven is aware of your crippling pain, but "the Holy Spirit prays for [you] with groanings that cannot be expressed in words" (Romans 8:26). So keenly is your pain felt in heaven! Know this: ..."that God causes everything to work together for THE GOOD of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28). Our Father does not cripple or maim His loved ones! This broken place we call home does that. Let Him use your worst pain! You are NOT defeated, you are equipped! Let His joy and peace flood your broken heart this very moment... Helen du Plessis - 083 332 0895.