Choosing to Move Beyond Fear
This is a blog version of podcast episode 003 by the same title.
For the whole story, read 2 Samuel 9:1-13, listen to episode 001 or read the blog version of episode 001.
When you purchase electronics, they come with default settings. Some that are helpful, and some are incredibly annoying. Fortunately, most of those default settings can be changed or adjusted.
I’m not proud of it, but fear is one of my default settings. The enemy knows that if I focus on not having enough (time, money, creativity) or being enough (accepted, loved), I allow fear to control my thoughts and actions.
It’s the button the enemy has pushed for as long as I can remember, but I am grateful that through the power of God my default settings can be changed.
Every day I have a choice. Thankfully, God’s Word continues to help me live with less fear and more freedom.
A Quick Review
We are continuing Mephibosheth’s story from 2 Samuel 9:1-13. Check out the links at the beginning of the blog if you are unfamiliar with Mephibosheth, but in the meantime, here is a quick review:
When David is a teenaged shepherd, God sends Samuel to anoint him as the next king of Israel—sometime in the future. (I Samuel 16:1-13) David and King Saul’s son, Jonathan, become friends after David Kills Goliath the Philistine.(1 Samuel 18:1)
Fast forward about 20 years. King Saul, his son Jonathan, and Saul's other sons died, and David is now king of all Israel. David decides to honor the promise he made to Jonathan to be kind to his family. (1 Samuel )
With the help of a man who was King Saul’s servant, King David tracks down Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, and invites him to the palace.
After more than a week of travel with plenty of time to think and prepare, Mephibosheth arrives at the palace. 2 Samuel introduces him as “the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,” reminding us of David’s devotion to his best friend, Jonathan, but also King Saul’s repeated attempts to kill David.
At the palace, Mephibosheth’s immediate response is to throw himself down, lying face down on the floor to honor the king. David calls him by name, and his next words are, “Don’t be afraid . . . ” (2 Samuel 9:7)
Mephibosheth’s Fear
David must sense Mephibosheth’s fear. The Bible doesn’t tell us if fear his default setting, but based on information in the Bible about his past, there are many reasons he could be afraid when we encounter him in 2 Samuel 9.
1. He is carrying trauma.
The tragic deaths of his grandfather, father and uncles cause him to be an orphan before his 8th birthday. Now grown, He continues to live in a tiny village with a man who is not his relative but still generously providing for Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9:4)
2. He is out of his comfort zone.
Unexpectedly, King David requests his presence at the palace, about 80 miles away from his home and all that is familiar. Lame in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4), Mephibosheth’s journey would’ve likely been physically painful and emotionally taxing as he processes the possible physical limitations in the palace that may affect his mobility.
3. He is likely fighting feelings of inadequacy.
Born the son of a prince, but now a man who owns no land and has no wealth or standing in his community. David, the wealthy king and mighty warrior, summons Mephibosheth, a man who can’t walk or provide for himself.
4. He may feel unsafe.
As heir to the throne of King Saul, now occupied by King David, Mephibosheth is considered an enemy of the current king. And with his physical challenges, he can’t run from danger and has no one to protect him.
5. He fears the unknown.
Mephibosheth’s Grandpa Saul tried to kill David on numerous occasions. Would David kill him to take revenge? And, as a father, Mephibosheth is concerned for his son (2 Samuel 9:12). Is the invitation to the palace part of David’s plan to exterminate every living relative of King Saul?
David’s Fear
Mephibosheth’s fears sound all too familiar. Last year, as I planned for this website, I battled feelings of inadequacy and fear.
God led me to Psalm 34, a chapter filled with often-quoted verses and an anchor of hope. It is an acrostic poem; each verse begins with the letters of Hebrew alphabet in order from first to the last.
The introduction to Psalm 34 tells us that David wrote it when he “pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.”(NIV) Abimelech is another name for Philistine King Achish.
This is a flashback in our Mephibosheth story, decades before David is king and Mephibosheth arrives at the palace. You can read the interesting story in 1 Samuel 21, but here’s a summary:
King Saul’s jealousy is getting the best of him, and he wants David dead. He tries sending David to battle the Philistines, hoping they’ll kill him.
Not only does David survive, but he defeats his enemies. Knowing his life is in danger, David runs away from the royal fortress in Gibeah.
David’s strategy is unclear, but somehow the famous warrior arrives in the Philistine city of Gath, Goliath’s hometown (1 Samuel 17), and he’s carrying Goliath’s sword (I Samuel 21:8-10)). It’s no surprise that the servants of King Achish recognize him right away.
“Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands?’”
David was anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16), but he isn’t king YET, though his enemies recognize his strong leadership and military might. David overhears their conversation, and the Bible tells us he was very afraid.
The introduction to Psalm 56 tells more of story. The Philistines seize him, and the Psalm records David’s prayer for deliverance. 1 Samuel 21 tells us that while he was in custody, David “pretends to be insane--acting like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate, and letting his salvia run down his beard.” (NIV)
David’s plan works, and King Achish says, “I have enough crazies! I don’t need another one! Do you have to bring him to me to carry on?” (Joy Moore version of I Samuel 21:14-15)
We don’t know what happens next, but the following verse says that David left Gath and escaped to a cave of Adullam, about 10 miles away.
God is Our Deliverer
Psalm 34 is David’s journal entry of praise to God after his Gath adventure. The entire Psalm is powerful, but verse four became a weapon to battle my fears last year:
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.” (BSB )
Let’s take a look at the meanings of the original Hebrew words for a deeper understanding of this verse.
The Hebrew word for sought [H1875] means “search out by any method” or “to resort to.” Sometimes, we diligently search, looking for any and every way to find God.
Other times, we resort to Him in desperation because our other options have failed. Either way, it’s our choice to seek the LORD.
And when we do, God doesn’t just hear, but he answers [H6030]. He takes action on our behalf. It reminds me of the Hebrew word, hesed [H2617], which describes God’s loyal love. Not based on emotion, His love is active, unfailing love that goes above and beyond expectations.
David writes how God delivered him from all his fears. The word delivered means to plunder or snatch away. God snatched away David’s fears.
It doesn’t mean God snatches us out of situations or snatches people out of our lives, though He can. In my life, God grows my trust in Him and gives me peace in my circumstances, which removes my fear and the control it has in over me.
God delivered David from all, the whole of, his fears. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says, “The root of the Hebrew word for fear means to be intimidated before a stronger or superior being or thing.
In this verse, the word for fear expresses sense of terror and dread. The Most High God triumphs over everything that intimidates and terrorizes us.
God’s Word is a Weapon
The Word of God is powerful a weapon against the enemy of our souls who speaks lies to intimidate us every day.
Psalm 34:4 became my sword. When the lies of fear came to my mind, I boldly spoke aloud “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears,” and, in my mind, I imagined God snatching away my fear.
Hearing my voice speak God’s truth was encouraging—it put courage in my soul and trust in my heart that God would keep his promise.
If I was in a situation where I couldn’t speak out loud, I whispered. If I couldn’t whisper, I repeated the verse in my mind. As I continue to meditate on and repeat the promise of Psalm 34:4, I live free from the power of fear.
Mephibosheth’s Response
Now, back to our Mephibosheth story. He has a choice to make. Will he accept the king’s gift of land, meals at King David’s table, and connection to extended family? (Remember, King David is Mephibosheth’s uncle.)
Accepting the land is easy, but is it safe for him and his young son to eat at the king’s table, beside David’s sons who may feel threatened? Could Mephibosheth move beyond fear to trust God and accept his blessings?
2 Samuel 9:13 tells us that he did:
“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem,
because he always ate at the king’s table,
and he was lame in both feet.” (BSB)
Mephibosheth chose not to be controlled by fear but to walk forward in courage. He accepted generous kindness that he didn’t deserve.
Mephibosheth was probably unaware of David’s promises to Jonathan or King Saul. Politically, as David’s enemy, Mephibosheth and his son deserved to die. But he chooses to trust King David and accept his generous pardon.
He positions himself to be near his provider, King David. Mephibosheth could’ve chosen to live elsewhere, but he chooses to trust God to protect him and his son. Mephibosheth moves to Jerusalem and eats with the king’s sons.
Mephibosheth embraces blessings
he couldn’t earn or ever repay.
King David’s invitation was not transactional, asking Mephibosheth to do something in exchange for land and food.
Instead, it was relational. David honored Mephibosheth for who he was and not for what he could do. Mephibosheth’s limitations did not limit God’s blessings.
Our Response
Mephibosheth’s story is our story, too. Many of us live with past or present trauma and may find ourselves living in fear or hiding in what we think is a safe place.
Fear and inadequacy may cause us to reject God’s blessings, but our limitations do not limit God’s goodness to us.
The Bible is full of verses that encourage us not to fear or be afraid, which means that fear is not God’s plan for us. If fear is a part of your life, use God's Psalm 34:4 sword.
I know from personal experience that when I seek God, and position myself close to him to hear his voice, He hears and answers me. He delivers me from all my fears. He’s the only one who can.
My Lord, You are the one who hears our answers our cries. You are the one who gives us courage to believe we can leave the known comfort of fear and choose to trust You in the unknown. You are the only one who can deliver us from all of our fears. Thank You that through Your power, we can live free. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Think about it . . .
Is fear a part of your life? What is your battle plan for the next time you feel fearful?
Has God given you something that you feel like you don’t deserve? Take a moment to fully accept His gift, and thank Him for it.
Explore More
If you haven’t yet accepted God’s offer of love to you, click here for more information or email me with questions.
Other blogs in this series:
Part 1: When You’re Invited to Trade Shame for Grace
Part 2: God Can Restore What Was Lost
Sources:
I Samuel 21:10-15 | David’s Gath Adventure
Psalm 56 | Prayers while David was in custody
Psalm 34 | Praise after David was delivered
Psalm 34:4 | “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. (I Samuel 21:11, Psalm 34:4, 2 Samuel 9:13)
R. Laird Harris, editor, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., associate editor, Bruce K. Waltke, associate editor. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980. (TWOT 332b)
