When Saul died and David became king, fear swept through Saul’s household. They assumed David would do what kings commonly did in those days—destroy the family of the former king so there would be no rival to the throne.

But they were running from a threat that, in this case, did not exist.

In the panic, Jonathan’s five-year-old son, Mephibosheth, was picked up by his nurse as she fled. In her haste, she dropped him, and he became lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4).

Think about that: Mephibosheth was injured while running from someone who did not intend to hurt him.

Fear based on false information changed the course of his life.

Years passed, and Mephibosheth lived in Lo Debar, away from Jerusalem and the king’s palace. Yet David had made a covenant with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan. David wasn’t searching for Jonathan’s family to destroy them. He was searching for someone to bless.

David asked, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1).

What a picture!

Mephibosheth had spent years living as though the king were his enemy, while the king was looking for an opportunity to show him kindness.

How often do we do the same thing with God?

False beliefs can cripple us spiritually. False information about God can cause us to withdraw from the very One who desires to draw us near. We may believe, God is disappointed in me. I have failed too badly. I am not worthy. God can use everyone except me. If He really knew everything about me, He wouldn't want me near Him.

But He already knows.

And He is still calling us to His table.

When Mephibosheth finally stood before David, he referred to himself as a “dead dog.” His view of himself had been shaped by years of fear, isolation and misunderstanding. But David did not see him according to Mephibosheth’s opinion of himself. David saw him through the covenant he had made with Jonathan.

David restored Saul’s land to him, provided servants to care for it and then declared that Mephibosheth would “eat bread at my table continually” (2 Samuel 9:7).

Mephibosheth came out of hiding and poverty and took his place at the king’s table.

And there is something beautiful about that picture: when Mephibosheth was seated at the table, you could not see his crippled feet.

The condition was still there, but the king’s table covered what was broken.

That is such a powerful picture of loving kindness. God does not wait until every weakness disappears before He invites us into fellowship with Him. He calls us to come close. He provides for us. He restores us. And His loving kindness covers the areas where we are still weak.

How much of our spiritual “lameness” has come from things we believed that simply were not true? How many opportunities have we avoided because we believed we weren't qualified? How much time have we spent hiding in our own Lo Debar because we misunderstood the heart of the King?

The enemy would love for us to spend our lives running from a God who is actually calling us closer.

Come out of hiding. Come back to the table.

You may have scars from what happened while you were running. You may still have weaknesses. You may even feel unworthy to sit among the King's children.

But your place at the table is not based upon your perfection. It is based upon covenant.

The King knows where you are.

The King knows what happened to you.

The King knows what is broken.

And still He says, “Bring them to My table.”

Stop allowing false beliefs about yourself—or about God—to keep you living beneath what His love has provided. Let His Word correct the misinformation. Let His love drive out the fear. Let His loving kindness cover the weakness.

There is a place at the King's table for you.