PASTOR'S COLUMN 7/7/20

"Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled."

2 Samuel 4:4, NLT

"Don't be afraid!" David said. "I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king's table." 2 Chronicles 9:7, NLT

\2nd Sunday-"Becoming More Than What You Are!

There are some setbacks in life that inevitably become a "setup" for a better and brighter future. When we face certain challenges, often we have no idea that Godis using the hurdles we face, to advance us to the winning finish line. Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, was the victim of an unintended fall that left him physically disabled for life. Phil, as I refer to him, was only five years old when a triple tragedy struck. The tragic death of two family members: his father Jonathan, and his grandfather, King Saul; was compounded by the panic of Phil's caretaker, whofled the palace upon hearing the news of the loss

of the King and his son. In her haste, the five-year-old was dropped to the ponding pavement, Phil's physical limitations disqualified him from becoming heir to the throne, and the family's fortunes were decimated. Phil was mistreated and people called him a "person of shame." This affected Phil's self -esteem (cf.2 kings. 9:8, NLT). As he grew into adolescence, he thought little of himself. But God was not deaf to Phil's inner pain. David, now King, remembered the covenant he had made with Prince Jonathan, Phil's father. David would restore provisions and property to any of Jonathan's children, when he became king. Phil was found, and learned that Godhad prepared for him much more than he ever knew!