His name was Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth’s name meant “shame destroyer.” He was dropped as an infant and had been paraplegic ever since. In the ancient world that meant a life of shame and isolation. He came from a family that had been in power, had done some evil things, and was overthrown and discredited.

But the new king was merciful and loving. He wanted to honor the last surviving member of that family and restore the land that would have been his. Even though he was disabled. Even though he had done nothing to deserve this complete restoration. Mephibosheth exclaimed, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8)

King David restored all of the family’s land and belongings to Mephibosheth even though he did nothing in particular to deserve it, didn’t ask for it, and felt unworthy to receive such favor. King David treated him as a son for the rest of his days. He invited him to his own table as one of his sons.

King David is called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22.) He brought restoration to the unworthy, the outcast, the downtrodden. Our Father offers us the same complete restoration. Although we are crippled by something, whether it is past hurts, selfish desires, pride, jealousy, feelings of inadequacy, lust, addictions, etc., He calls us all to complete restoration. He calls us all to come and eat as His table as sons and daughters. Jesus says,

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  - Revelation 3:20

I met a little girl last night who was so full of life and overwhelming joy. She jumped into my arms, even though she didn’t know me at all, and wanted to stay there all night. She chatted about ear rings and other pretty things. She is four years old. She was born with a cleft lip. When she first came to CURE at the age of two, she was so malnourished that she was taken in by some loving people and nurtured until she was strong enough for surgery. It took several months of care. She underwent surgery and was eventually returned to her village. However, the village still viewed her as carrying a curse, even though her lip was cured. She was again neglected. Eventually, the village convinced others to take her and care for her. She is now a very vibrant little girl – the life of any room, any party, any gathering. Her smile is so frequent and engaging, one cannot help but feel joy to be around her. Now she knows the God who destroys all shame and brings complete acceptance and love.

That is why the spiritual side of CURE’s mission is so vital. Despite physical healing, there is still a spiritual stigma that these children often carry with them, a burden greater than any child should have to bare. They need to feel that same complete restoration and acceptance that Mephibosheth received from King David, and that we all now receive from Jesus’ work on the cross, if we will accept it.

Beth Moore describes it this way:

One day when we all sit down at the ultimate wedding feast (Rev. 19), the lame will be healed, the blind will see, the restored will leap and skip with ecstatic joy! He is a God of loving kindness. He’s just searching for someone with whom to share it. He is the shame destroyer. The lover of the lame. I would never have learned to walk with God on healthy feet had I never experienced sitting at His table as a cripple. My emotional and spiritual healing has come from approaching God in my handicapped state and believing I was His daughter. (A Heart Like His, p 125.)

Originally posted at: http://ethiopia.thebernards.org/2011/12/04/shame-destroyer/.