Hey there, welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our Reading, titled

At the King's Table, was written by Kieran Quech. He'll live, the vet announced, but his leg

will have to be amputated. The stray mongrel my friend had brought in had been

run over by a car. Are you the owner? There would be a hefty surgery bill and the puppy would

need care as it recovered. I am now, my friend replied. Her kindness has given that dog a future

in a loving home.

Maphibiseth in Second Samuel saw himself as a dead dog, unworthy of favor.

Being lame in both feet due to an accident, he was dependent on others to protect and provide for him.

Furthermore, after the death of his grandfather, King Saul, he probably feared that

David the new king would order all enemies and rivals to the throne killed, as was the common

practice of the time. Yet out of love for his friend Jonathan, David ensured that Jonathan's son,

Mepheboshevbachev would always be safe

and cared for as his own son. In the same way, we who were once God's enemies, marked for death,

have been saved by Jesus and given a place with him in heaven forever. That's what it means to

eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God that Luke

describes in his gospel. Here we are, the sons and daughters of a king. What extravagant,

undeserved kindness we've received. Let's draw near to God in gratitude and joy.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from 2 Samuel chapter 9, verses 6 through 13.

When Mephebusheth, son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David. He bowed down to pay him honor.

David said, But febusheth.

At your service, he replied.

Don't be afraid, David said to him, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of

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