Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Why have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Why do you continue to repent and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Among many other reasons, one reason is certainly because of God’s kindness. After all, God’s kindness is aimed at leading us to repentance (Romans 2:4). I hope that you would not be surprised to hear me say that kindness is a Christian virtue, and that we ought to reflect the kindness of God. The great king David reflected the kindness of God in his life and one of my favorite stories in all of the Old Testament is found in 2 Samuel 9:1-13 where David displays something of the kindness of God to Mephibosheth. I’d encourage you to take some time and read that story today, but let me just take a moment now to offer a few reflections about that passage.

David was in the midst of defeating his enemies as the new king of Israel, and you would naturally think that David would want to defeat all who remain of the house of Saul. After all, they would be a threat to his throne. What is more, Saul did not exactly treat David with kindness. 2 Samuel 9 tells us that David was looking for the remaining members of Saul’s household. Now, David was not looking for the remaining members of Saul’s household because he wishes to kill them, but because he wished to show kindness to them. Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son (and Saul’s grandson), was no threat to the throne, he is lame in both his feet. He is weak and vulnerable, but what did David do? He gave him a place at the King’s table. He showed kindness to one who should be an enemy, and why did he do it? David showed kindness to Mephibosheth because of a covenant promise that he made to Jonathan. In 1 Samuel 20:15, Jonathan asked David to maintain steadfast love toward his house and David agreed. David showed kindness to Mephibosheth because of a covenant that he made with another.

I wish that there was space and time to say more, but for now, let me say this. I can’t help but be reminded of the kindness of Jesus Christ from this passage. We are those who have tried to take Jesus’ throne. We have certainly been unkind to him, and yet because of a covenant that God the Son made with God the Father, before the world began, he has purposed to show kindness to us and to invite us to his table. Kindness in the Scriptures implies and carries with it a notion of generosity. David was generous to Mephibosheth in so many ways, not least of which was inviting him to always eat at his table. How much more has Jesus Christ been kind and generous to his people in pledging and promising them his kingdom and to always have a seat at his table?

The Holy Spirit produces kindness in the lives of believers as he brings us to recognize how unfailingly kind God has been toward us. Believers are called to be kind to others because of the covenant that God has brought them in to, the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we should desire to be kind and generous toward others, like David and ultimately like Jesus was and is. Perhaps the chief reason I am not kind and generous toward others is because I am too concerned about my own place and position. David had been promised a kingdom, and he trusted that the Lord would give him that kingdom. That is why he was not threatened by Mephibosheth. Having been confident of God’s kindness and promises toward him, he had no need to protect his throne or greedily hoard his resources. Instead, he could be kind and generous toward others, even those who should have been his enemies. All of God’s children need to recognize the same – we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28) and we are receiving an inheritance that cannot be taken (1 Peter 1:4).

In view of God’s kindness, God’s people are secure and free and called to show kindness and generosity toward others. May we, with God’s help, to exercise kindness in view of the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s pray that God would cause us to remember that as God’s children we are receiving a kingdom and that we will always have a seat at the King’s table.

Warmly in Christ,
Mike