Mephibosheth was no great ornament to a royal table. Yet he had a permanent place at David's board, because the king could see in his face the features of his beloved Jonathan.

Like Mephibosheth, we may cry to the King of Glory: "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?" But still the Lord draws us into the most intimate fellowship with himself. Why? Because he sees in our faces the remembrance of his dearly beloved Jesus.

The Lord's people are precious for another's sake. Such is the love the Father bears to his only begotten Son that for his sake he raises his lowly brothers and sisters from poverty and banishment to courtly companionship, noble rank, and royal provision.

Their deformity shall not rob them of their privileges. Lameness is no bar to sonship! The cripple is as much the heir as if he could run like Asahel. Our right does not limp, though our might may.

A king's table is a noble hiding place for lame legs! And at the gospel feast we learn to glory in our weaknesses, because the power of Christ rests upon us.

Yet grievous disability may mar even the best-loved saints. Here is one feasted by David, and yet so lame in both feet that he could not follow when the king fled from the city. His own servant Ziba turned on him and slandered him.

Saints whose faith is weak and whose knowledge is slender are great losers. They are exposed to many enemies and cannot follow the King wherever he goes. This disease frequently arises from falls. Bad nursing in their spiritual infancy often causes converts to fall into a despondency from which they never recover. And sin in other cases brings broken bones.

Lord, help the lame to leap like a deer, and satisfy all your people with the bread of your table!