God Still Has A Seat For Me

Each of us carries a story—one shaped by our experiences, our struggles, and our hopes. Yet, when we invite Jesus into our lives, our story is woven into God’s greater narrative. We are no longer alone; we become part of something far bigger than ourselves. Sometimes, though, our insecurities, disappointments, and brokenness get in the way, making us feel like we’re stuck in a place of silence and exile, much like Mephibosheth in the Old Testament.

Mephibosheth’s life was marked by tragedy and loss. Born into royalty, he lost his father and grandfather in battle, was dropped as a child and left crippled, and spent years hiding in Lo-debar—a barren, forgotten place whose very name means “no voice.” He was a forgotten prince, living with unfulfilled potential, disappointment, and trauma. Yet, his story didn’t end in exile. King David, moved by covenant love and grace, sought him out—not because of what Mephibosheth could offer, but because of David’s love for Jonathan and his desire to show God’s kindness.

David’s invitation to Mephibosheth to sit at the king’s table is a powerful picture of God’s grace. Despite Mephibosheth’s brokenness, shame, and sense of unworthiness, he was given a place of honor and restoration. The table covered his infirmity; it was the great equalizer. In the same way, God’s grace seeks us out in our brokenness, covers our shame, and invites us to a seat at His table—not because we deserve it, but because of His unconditional love.

We all experience seasons of disappointment, dysfunction, and trauma. These can create a domino effect in our lives, leading to discouragement, bitterness, and distance from God. But God’s hand of grace can stop that cycle. He doesn’t require us to audition for His acceptance; His seat is already turned toward us. Our position as children of God can overcome our condition, no matter how broken we feel. The invitation is always open: will we take our place at the table, allowing God’s grace to rewrite our story?

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Grace Finds Us in Our Brokenness No matter how far we’ve wandered or how deep our wounds, God’s grace actively seeks us out. Like Mephibosheth, who was hiding in Lo-debar, we may feel forgotten or unworthy, but God’s kindness is not deterred by our condition. His love is not based on our performance or status, but on His covenant faithfulness and desire to restore us. [17:47]
• 2. The Table Is the Great Equalizer At the king’s table, Mephibosheth’s lameness was covered; he sat as an equal among royalty. God’s grace levels the playing field—our failures, insecurities, and past do not disqualify us from fellowship with Him. When we accept His invitation, we find belonging and dignity, not because of what we bring, but because of who He is. [41:32]
• 3. Trauma and Disappointment Don’t Have the Final Word Life’s traumas and disappointments can create a chain reaction of discouragement and distance from God. Yet, God’s hand of grace can interrupt that cycle, offering healing and a new beginning. We must choose whether to let our trauma define our journey, or to let Jesus carry us forward into restoration and hope. [23:01]
• 4. Our Identity: Royal by Creation, Broken by the Fall, Sought by Grace We are created with royal purpose, but the brokenness of life and sin can leave us feeling forgotten. Yet, God’s grace comes looking for us, not to condemn, but to restore. Our true identity is not in our wounds or failures, but in the fact that we are invited to the King’s table as beloved sons and daughters. [28:54]
• 5. The Invitation Is Always Open God’s table doesn’t have a guest list; it has a seat for each of us. Even when we doubt, deny, or betray, His grace remains. The choice is ours—to remain in exile, or to accept the invitation and let God’s grace transform our story. [46:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:33] - Updates and Greetings
• [01:08] - The Power of Story: Ours and God’s
• [02:24] - A Personal Story: NFL Chaplaincy
• [04:26] - Praying for the Broken
• [08:10] - God’s Story and Our Story
• [08:46] - The Voice: No Audition Needed with God
• [10:43] - Introducing Mephibosheth’s Story
• [12:44] - Lo-debar: A Place of Silence and Exile
• [13:59] - David’s Search for Kindness
• [17:47] - Grace at the King’s Table
• [23:01] - The Domino Effect of Brokenness
• [28:54] - Royalty, Brokenness, and Grace
• [35:49] - Living Lame or Living Restored
• [41:32] - The Table as the Equalizer
• [46:36] - The Open Invitation of Grace
• [47:54] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

Primary Text: — 2 Samuel 9:1-13 (ESV)

> 1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
> 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.”
> 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
> 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
> 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
> 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”
> 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”
> 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
> 9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.
> 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
> 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.
> 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants.
> 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

Observation Questions

1. What details about Mephibosheth’s background and condition are highlighted in 2 Samuel 9? Why do you think the author includes these details? ([15:15])
2. How does King David respond when he learns about Mephibosheth’s situation? What specific actions does he take? ([17:47])
3. What is the significance of Mephibosheth being invited to eat at the king’s table, especially considering his past and his physical condition? ([41:32])
4. According to the sermon, what does the name “Lo-debar” mean, and how does that meaning connect to Mephibosheth’s story? ([20:26])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think David was so determined to show kindness to someone from Saul’s family, even after all that had happened between Saul and David? What does this reveal about David’s character and about God’s heart? ([14:36])
2. The sermon describes the king’s table as “the great equalizer.” In what ways does God’s grace “level the playing field” for us, regardless of our past or our brokenness? ([41:32])
3. The sermon talks about the “domino effect” of disappointment, discouragement, and distance from God. How can God’s grace interrupt this cycle in someone’s life? ([23:01])
4. Mephibosheth refers to himself as a “dead dog.” What does this reveal about his self-image, and how does David’s invitation challenge or change that? ([15:55])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that “God’s grace finds us in our brokenness.” Can you think of a time when you felt like you were in a “Lo-debar”—a place of silence, exile, or feeling forgotten? How did God’s grace meet you there, or how do you hope it will? ([20:26])
2. Mephibosheth’s story shows that trauma and disappointment don’t have the final word. Are there areas of your life where you feel stuck in a cycle of discouragement or dysfunction? What would it look like to invite God’s hand of grace to “stop the dominoes” in that area? ([23:01])
3. The sermon says, “God’s table doesn’t have a guest list; it has a seat for each of us.” Are there ways you have felt unworthy or disqualified from God’s love or community? What would it mean for you to accept your seat at the table this week? ([46:36])
4. David’s kindness to Mephibosheth was not based on what Mephibosheth could offer, but on covenant love. Are there people in your life you find it hard to show kindness or grace to? What is one practical way you could extend grace to someone this week, even if they can’t “repay” you? ([14:36])
5. The sermon mentions that our “position as children of God can overcome our condition.” What are some labels or lies about yourself that you need to leave behind in order to live as a beloved son or daughter at God’s table? ([28:54])
6. The story of Mephibosheth is also about restoration and belonging. Is there a step you need to take to move from “exile” to “the table”—maybe in your relationship with God, with others, or even in forgiving yourself? ([17:47])
7. The invitation to the table is always open, even when we doubt, deny, or betray. Is there an area where you need to accept God’s invitation again, or offer that same invitation to someone else? ([46:36])