Mephibosheth wasn't a great addition to a royal table, yet he always had a place at David's table because the king saw the beloved Jonathan in his face. Like Mephibosheth, we may ask the King of Glory, "Who am I, that you should care for a dead dog like me?" Yet the Lord invites us to be close to Him because He sees the likeness of His dearly beloved Jesus in us. God's people are cherished for the sake of another. The Father's love for His Son lifts us from poverty and exile to companionship, honor, and provision.

Our flaws don't strip us of our blessings. Being crippled doesn't stop us from being sons; the crippled are heirs just as much as those who run like Asahel. Our right to the royal table doesn't struggle, even if our strength does. A king's table is a wonderful place to hide imperfections, and at the gospel feast, we rejoice in our weaknesses because Christ's power is over us.

Still, severe disabilities can affect even the most beloved believers. Here is one welcomed by David, yet so lame he couldn't accompany the king when he fled, leading to betrayal by his servant Ziba. Believers with weak faith or little understanding miss out greatly; they're vulnerable to many foes and can't follow the King wherever He goes. This often comes from past falls. Poor nurturing during spiritual infancy can cause despondency from which some never recover, and sin sometimes leaves lasting scars. Lord, help the lame leap with joy and fill all Your people with the blessings of Your table!