It so happened that Saul's son, Jonathan, had a son who was maimed in both feet. When he was five years old, the report on Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and ran, but in her hurry to get away she fell, and the boy was maimed. His name was Mephibosheth.

 

One day David asked, "Is there anyone left of Saul's family? If so, I'd like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan."   It happened that a servant from Saul's household named Ziba was there. They called him into David's presence. The king asked him, "Are you Ziba?" "Yes sir," he replied. The king asked, "Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show some godly kindness?" Ziba told the king, "Yes, there is Jonathan's son, lame in both feet." "Where is he?" "He's living at the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." King David didn't lose a minute. He sent and got him from the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan (who was the son of Saul), came before David, he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David. David spoke his name: "Mephibosheth." "Yes sir?" "Don't be frightened," said David. "I'd like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I'm returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you'll take all your meals at my table." Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, "Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?"  David then called in Ziba, Saul's right-hand man, and told him, "Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I've handed over to your master's grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master's grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master's grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table." Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. All that my master the king has ordered his servant," answered Ziba, "your servant will surely do." And Mephibosheth ate at David's table, just like one of the royal family. Mephibosheth also had a small son named Mica. All who were part of Ziba's household were now the servants of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king's table. He was lame in both feet. (2 Sa: 4-4; 9: 1-13- MSG)

 

 

I looked up the word disaster, and it means – an occurrence inflicting widespread destruction or distress.  A total failure.

 

The word Destiny means – Fate, outcome, the supposed force that predetermines events.

 

As I looked at that scripture, it looked like the situation for Mephibosheth was a total disaster.  His nurse was trying to keep him out of harm's way, and stumbled and fell, therefore leaving him maimed at five years old.  I cannot imagine the sadness that she felt or the tragedy that was left for his family to handle.  After all, a five-year-old child is very active and having it taken away from him in a moment must have been devastating.  Sometimes, things that look like a disaster are really destinies in disguise.  There are perhaps some of us that are looking at our life situation and thinking to ourselves this is sure enough a disaster, how in the world did I allow myself to get into this mess. 

 

Perhaps it is on our jobs, or in your homes with a loved one, or perhaps it is with our children, or maybe it is our finances, or perhaps we look at our ministry and think this is a complete disaster; what we should be saying to ourselves is;  I know this looks like a disaster, however, it could be our destiny.  How many of us know only GOD can take a disaster and turn it into a destiny. 

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 As we read in the previous chapter, David had loved the household of Saul and Jonathan so very much that he inquired was there anyone else there that he could show kindness to.  We never know whom GOD will use to show kindness to us.  Oftentimes, we look at the circumstance or situation that we are in with a negative attitude and think why me.  I know that I do from time to time, but I am learning that GOD can and will turn anything from good to bad.  So, next time it looks like a disaster, thank God it really was attached to our destiny, only our Heavenly Father knows what and who is best for us and we should always remember: “ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD” (emphasis mine), no matter what they look like