GRACE FOR THE FORGOTTEN

Grace for the Undeserving
Have you ever received kindness you didn’t expect? Maybe someone paid for your coffee, forgave a debt, or showed up for you when you felt alone. These moments remind us of the grace of God—a grace that reaches beyond what we deserve and extends love simply because of who He is.

The story of David and Mephibosheth is a powerful example of how God’s grace works. Mephibosheth, the crippled grandson of Saul, had every reason to fear David. In those times, kings often wiped out the previous king’s family to secure their own reign. But David did something radical: he sought out Mephibosheth not to harm him, but to bless him. Why? Because of his love for Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father. This is a picture of how God extends grace to us—not because we deserve it, but for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This truth runs through all of Scripture. From Adam and Eve receiving garments instead of immediate judgment, to Jesus dying for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), God's grace consistently reaches the undeserving. We often struggle to accept this truth because human nature conditions us to think in terms of merit. But grace is unearned. It cannot be bought, bargained for, or worked towards. It is freely given, and our only response should be gratitude and transformation.

If God’s grace is truly unmerited, then it is also freely available to all—even those we might think are unworthy. Just as Mephibosheth received a place at the king’s table despite his past and his condition, so too does God invite us to sit at His table, regardless of our brokenness.


The Unexpected King
Before David became king, he was just a shepherd boy, overlooked and underestimated. Even his own father, Jesse, did not initially present him as a candidate when the prophet Samuel came to anoint a new king (I Samuel 16:11). Yet God saw something in David that others didn’t. He saw a heart that sought after Him.

David was an unlikely choice. In ancient Israel, the firstborn son typically received the highest honor and inheritance. David, being the youngest, was assigned the lowly task of tending sheep—a role that was considered insignificant. But God does not operate by human traditions or expectations. While David’s brothers appeared to be strong and kingly, God told Samuel,

“The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

David’s journey to the throne was not immediate nor easy. After being anointed, he did not take his place as king right away. Instead, he continued tending sheep until one fateful day when he was called to bring food to his brothers on the battlefield. There, he encountered Goliath and, with unshakable faith, defeated the giant with just a slingshot and a few stones (I Samuel 17). This victory thrust David into the spotlight, but it also made him a target.
King Saul, consumed with jealousy, sought to kill David, forcing him into years of exile. David lived in caves, constantly on the run, and endured deep betrayal and loneliness. Yet, despite his trials, David remained faithful to God. He refused to take Saul’s life, even when given the opportunity, choosing instead to trust in God’s timing (I Samuel 24:6).

David’s life teaches us that God's favor does not always mean an easy path. Sometimes, His grace carries us through seasons of difficulty before bringing us into His promises. David was called and chosen, but he still had to endure trials that refined his character and deepened his dependence on God. Likewise, we may find ourselves in situations where we wonder if God has forgotten us. But just as He was faithful to David, He will be faithful to us.
Like David, we may feel unqualified, unnoticed, or undeserving of God’s favor. But God does not choose based on outward appearance or worldly qualifications—He chooses based on the heart. If you’ve ever felt left out or unworthy, take comfort in knowing that God’s grace sees you, calls you, and has a purpose for you.


Mephibosheth: Grace at the King’s Table
Mephibosheth’s story is heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. When he was five years old, his nurse dropped him as they fled for safety, and he became crippled in both feet (II Samuel 4:4). He grew up in a place called Lo-Debar, a desolate land. In many ways, Mephibosheth represents us before we know Christ—broken, hiding, and believing we have no future.
But then David calls for him. Instead of condemning him as a threat to the throne, David restores everything Mephibosheth lost and invites him to eat at the king’s table for the rest of his life. Imagine the scene: Mephibosheth, who saw himself as unworthy, now seated among royalty. This is exactly what Jesus does for us. He lifts us from our brokenness and gives us a seat at His table. We do not earn this invitation; we receive it because of His love.


Who Are the Mephibosheths in Your Life?
Just as David extended grace to Mephibosheth, we are called to extend grace to others. Sometimes, we judge who is "deserving" of kindness. Maybe it’s someone who has wronged us, someone society overlooks, or even someone we’ve written off. But Jesus reminds us,
 
“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Who are the Mephibosheths in your life? They could be the friend who made a mistake and hasn't found the courage to apologize. They might be the person in your community who feels out of place due to disability, ethnicity, language, or background. Maybe it’s the coworker who annoys you, the neighbor with a troubled past, or someone in your family who is carrying shame they never talk about.

Grace means we don’t just welcome the polished and put-together. It means inviting those who feel like outcasts to sit with us—at our table, in our churches, in our hearts. We may not have a royal palace like David, but we can use our influence, our words, our actions, and our compassion to create a space where people feel seen, valued, and restored.
The truth is, we all have some Mephibosheth in us. We’ve all been broken. We’ve all felt like we didn’t belong. And yet God found us, invited us in, and gave us purpose. That same invitation is now ours to extend to others.

So again, who are the Mephibosheths in your life? Will you welcome them for the Father’s sake?


Action Step: A Seat at Your Table
This week, be intentional about making space for someone who may feel left out, overlooked, or broken. Don’t wait for them to come to you—go to them. Look around your school, job, neighborhood, or church. Ask God to open your eyes to someone in need of grace.

Start small. It could be inviting someone to have lunch with you, sending a text of encouragement, helping someone who’s struggling financially, or simply listening to someone’s story without judgment. Ask, “What would I need if I were in their shoes?” and respond with love.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present. The goal is not to fix people but to remind them they are seen, valued, and loved—just like David reminded Mephibosheth. And as you do this, remember: when you open your heart and life to others, you are reflecting the heart of God. That’s what grace looks like in action

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that I do not deserve. Just as David extended kindness to Mephibosheth, help me to extend Your love to others. Open my heart to those who feel forgotten or unworthy. Let my life reflect Your kindness so that others may come to know You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.