By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit

If you would ask the true "heart determined" believer in Christ today just what it is that they need now more than ever, it would be totally answered by the very raw words;

“I am need to have full clarity of mind and a fearless trust in the knowledge of how much God loves me.”

WE ARE IN ONE HOT REFINERS FIRE!

People are winding up in anger, disbelief and frustration over this "Unfair" season the Bride of Christ is in! It just isn't fair! We have been so good! We have laid down everything!

Why oh why are WE being singled out?

“I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;

My eyes fail while I wait for my God.”

~ Psalm. 69:3

“ I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim,

I dissolve my couch with my tears.

~ Psalm. 6:6

Does this sound like you right now?

EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE TESTED SOMETIME!

The strongest impression I have received from the Father about the condition of His Bride is this. When things are going "fabulously" for her, when all of heaven is blessing, she wants to keep it that way! If she is not in a place of great humility and thankfulness for what the Lord is doing, she tends to assume that, “It’s about time folks knew just how long I've been waiting for them to see just how great this church, or ministry or intellectual skill I've been soooo blessed with is!”

Then comes the attitude that we have to keep it allotted to only a few “real winners” like ourselves, and we become exclusive and look for only high rollers to run with.

And then. AGAIN comes the TEST.

Persecution comes, mug slinging, attacks on personal integrity, character assassination, and again the fiery trial.........of our soul.

TO REMOVE IMPURITIES - GOD USES A HOT OVEN!

These trials as if by fire are only to test our faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-- and our faith is far more precious to God than mere gold.

“So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” ~ I Peter chapter 1: 7

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

The Lord is working the Bride overtime right now to deal with selfish ambition, personal comfort, and any other areas of personal agenda or presumption.

YES! Presumption.

We as Christians have often presumed that because we are Christians…

…we should never experience severe sorrow, grief, loss, or devastation.

This “fairy tale” stems from a huge level of denial and total self focus. It is also a very Western culture mindset.

A dear friend of mine who went to China and who was visiting a Chinese underground church group, had a reality check that shook her to the core of her faith.

She thought that she was coming to this group to “help and bless them.”

When they asked her what could they pray for the church in American about in order to bless them she was flummoxed! Her reply was, “We came to see how we might help you! ” How can we pray for you?”

The response back was, “Pray that we would not be fearful or silent about the gospel of Jesus we share when the authorities beat us or imprison us. Pray that we remain strong enough physically to endure the persecution we receive and not fear what man may do to us.”

SOBERING ISN’T IT!

When others around us are going through loss, trauma, or heart breaking circumstances, sadly, many believers turn away in disgust or even more disturbing, display an arrogant attitude of thinking they are more blessed by God because their lives are not so complex or “shattered” as those around them who must have done SOMETHING wrong to bring these things upon themselves.

Regrettably, some of the pain some saints are experiencing is due to the disobedience of those in the Body of Christ around them! They resist the hand of God and react against others in retaliation toward God bringing correction or exposure to their secret lifestyle of personal gain or need for power!

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners

against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”

Heb. 12:3

Admit it! It is hard to not lose heart right now!

The world is in a tailspin and lukewarm Christians are showing their true colors! It's time to deal with this! It is NOT going to go away!

AGONY IS MORE SEVERE WHEN IT IS "ENHANCED" BY BETRAYAL!

Jesus went through it. Stephen went through it and so did hundreds of others! AND it hurts, and disillusions, and causes us to be so very very weary!

“You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and

brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you they will

put to death.

Luke 21:16

THE TRANSFORMATION FROM FRAGILE …

…TO FERVENT IS COMING!

“When?” You may ask…..

For my determined purpose is that I may know Him. That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death, in the hope…

… That if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead even while in the body.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.

I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do, it is my one aspiration, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

_Philippians 3:10-14 (Amplified Bible)

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THE LORD WOULD REQUIRE:

1.) To gain HIS strength, we must relinquish our power or control

over what we think of others. We will be judged by the way we

judge others when they struggle. Pious and lofty lectures are not

the Kingdom language of healing and restoration. Loving-

kindness and Mercy reveal the heart of godly maturity in a

believer when dealing with the sorrows and anguish of others.

“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,

Or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs

To a heavy heart.”

Proverbs 25:20

2.) Reach out in kindness to those under fire.

Encourage them to stand. Encourage them to seek the Lord.

Bless them and don't talk about them when they struggle!

"The Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples,

That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.

He awakens me morning by morning,

He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple."

Isaiah 50:4 3

3.) Get still. Stop organizing, planning, and pushing ahead into

oblivion! God really does have a plan!

“Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord, Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become cynical. “

Is. 40:30 -31

4.) TRUST FOR A MOMENT!

It's all about trusting God in the end. Oh yes it is!

Will He REALLY refresh us in this time of struggle?

His Loving Word says so.

“For I satisfy the weary ones,

And refresh everyone who languishes."

Jer. 31:25 5

THE LORD IS PRODUCING ENDURANCE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT!

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

For once he has been approved,

He will receive the crown of life,

Which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12

THE FATHER IS URGING US TO RUN TO HIM.

He is there! Even in the fog of struggle, loss, anxiety, and also in seeming success.

He wants us to be desperate for Him and rely wholly on His voice.

To make all of our decisions based on His plan for the whole earth!

Seek Him.

Lean into His Voice.

Elevate Grace and Mercy…

…And lower your own opinion of yourself and your abilities to

“lecture” others into healing or restoration.

WALK SOBERLY IF YOU ARE LIVING IN ABUNDANCE AT THIS TIME, ON ANY LEVEL.

Keep the vigil of prayer you are keeping for others well lit by the reflecting memories of past times when you yourself needed the Merciful Hand of God to lift you from agony and redeem your life from the pit.

Let us be so devoted to the “One” who lavished and spilled out all He had, that we might repeat His actions, and in so doing, bring His Glory to it’s fullest measure and depth.

His Mercy….

…Endures.

Forever.

“Then will the lame leap like a deer,  And the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness,  And streams in the desert.”

Isaiah 35:6

*****************************************

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed provided that complete source, podcast and website information for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You

Copyright © 2019 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerrooms.com

https://marylindow.podbean.com/mobile/

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By Mary Lindow 

I am by far not an expert on the subject of plumb lines and righteousness, so take what I say in the light of one who at time gropes like a child in the dark, ever reaching for the hand of the ONE to lead me into a safe place filled with His Hope, His Mercy, His Light and Life.

 
WE LIVE IN A CORRUPT WORLD and therefore, have the “effects and affects” of that corruption ever influencing, ever tainting and ever wooing the flesh.

Plumb line: a tool that consists of a small, heavy object attached to a string or rope and that is used especially to see if something (such as a wall) is perfectly vertical or in alignment)  

A plumb line is a simple but accurate tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical or upright. The Lord also used, and uses, a "plumb line," His Word, to determine how upright His people truly are in His sight.

How upright they think they are, or how upright they proclaim themselves to be, means nothing to God.

 "Behold, I WILL set a plumb line in the midst of My people". -Amos 7:7 

A PLUMB LINE SET OUT BY THE HAND OF GOD IS ONE THAT WE CAN ANCHOR OUR HEARTS TO.

It will always, always, ALWAYS, direct us to the truth in a matter; even if it requires pain, loss, persecution and perhaps death in areas we feel we may well have rights to. 

It will also be a shield, a balm, a comfort and a teacher to those who will yield to the directive positioning of the Master. 

“I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line.” 

-Isaiah 28:17 

LIFE – DISTRESS - AND PERSECUTION 

I have found that in my life, distress and persecution do not feel like God’s care being poured out on me. My heart is not immediately drawn to thanksgiving and gratefulness for the faithfulness of God on display as I cling to the battered pieces that look like potential “rafts” of hope, only to find out that many of them have gaping holes or slow leaks in them. 

Rather, it feels like yet another hurt is being permanently woven into my tattered and war-torn soul. It seems as if another mound of questions are piling up and just waiting for an answer and a true solid REAL anchor of hope. 

I CAN REALLY CONNECT TO THE WRITER OF PSALM 42 

He said “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” It’s at those very times that the words of the Savior are so important. When we are down and in turmoil. 

But, how do we connect the dots between what we know is true about God’s faithfulness and what our hearts feel? When flipped and flung around by the waves, weary from crying and when no answer seems at hand, what is the answer? 

When my circumstances show many foes and tyrants rising up against me and my heart is prone to wander and fear, what hope is there of peace? 

When my feelings start controlling my thoughts, how can I rest in God’s promises? 

AT THIS POINT… I HEAR THE “GASPS” … 

…And perhaps shocked comments of a few who are amazed that someone who appears to walk so fervently and intimately with the Lord would have such difficulties! 

Well! Guess what?

I do struggle, I do hurt, and yes I do doubt when I have been side swiped or “rammed” by skilled cons and those who, although may have the appearance of godliness and offered friendship or fellowship, end up having private and evil agendas behind their well placed and planned schemes.

And boy oh boy! Those skilled players know the wicked art of wounding the heart and causing people to reel in pain! 

BUT, THERE IS ONE WHO FULLY SEES IT ALL 

The main skill in the issue of dealing with life as a spiritual person, is to know how to handle yourself when things not only crush and grind your heart, but what to do with the anguish and toll of their aftermath. 

We have to get ourselves into a place where we hear clearly again. 

We need have to address ourselves, preach to ourselves, and ask questions about ourselves. 

We must say to our soul: ‘Why are you cast down’–Why are you so anxious and lacking in peace? 

We must urge ourselves, and say ‘Hope in God’–instead of remaining in this paralyzed, aching state!” 

AND THEN WE MUST TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER

We must go on to remind ourselves just “Who “God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has promised that he Himself said that He would do. 

Having done that we can stand up and sing out strongly, defying the torment of the soul, and resist other people’s wicked tongues and arrogance, and refuse to go along with the devil and the whole world, and say: ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” 

The hope and promise of the fairness of God’s justice when dealing with the hurtful things and presumptions of others gives me the confidence to know that God will never turn away from me in my need. No matter how they seem to prosper in the short term, wicked men and women will ultimately pay for their sins, in this life or the next. Jesus died to meet my greatest hardships and sorrows for me, and I need to preach this to myself every day.

His power is greater than my weariness and suffering. 

The comforting and instruction that comes from simply running to feed upon His word instead of the toxic poison of the replaying of trauma reminds me that what Jesus has done is strong enough for my soul to rejoice in and to be set into a place where it can rest and regroup, gaining a healthy perspective about what to give out to others and what is simply…

…. To be enjoyed by the Lord Himself. 

THE NATURAL IMPULSES OF MANKIND ARE SINFUL AND DECEITFUL! 

Human willpower alone will never be able to change this. 

We need God's help to truly change our hearts. 

REMEMBER. You cannot change the heart of anyone else either. 

If you try to, you will feel the bite of stinging venom or be laughed out of a room. Only the power of the conviction of the Holy Spirit can permeate and get around the jam-packed hardhearted egos of the self sufficient and bitter. 

Jeremiah 17:9 says that the human heart is deceitful in all things and is even beyond cure!

We must be cautious and wise in reproving and warning such types of people about their bad behaviors and wicked actions where there seems to be no appearance or hope of change and where there is danger of experiencing great and heart wrecking retaliation and slander. These types trample the warnings and urging for repentance and humbling of the heart under their feet, and turn again and slash at you, despising the warnings that are “tearfully and fearfully” given, and often hurt the persons who give them, either by words or deeds. 

"Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. 

Don't throw your pearls to pigs! 

They will trample the pearls, 

then turn and attack you.”

Matthew 7:6 

"GIVE ME THE FACTS MA’AM JUST THE FACTS” 

I remember that phrase from a TV show called “Dragnet”. The detective would not allow the details of the case to be skewed by any assumptions or pontificating from those he interviewed. He stoically and firmly demanded only the facts. 

And so, Here are the “facts” about the heart of a good man or woman.

1.) The good man or woman: Brings good things out of the good stored up in his/her heart. And the facts about an evil man or woman. 

2.) The evil man/woman brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his/her heart. For out of the overflow of his or her heart his or her mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 

THE FRAILTY, BRIEFNESS, AND INSECURITY OF LIFE 

The frailty, briefness, and insecurity of life should hold down the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all of our projects and boasting about future greatness and bragging rights! We are always to depend on the will and leading of God. 

OUR TIMES ARE NOT IN OUR OWN HANDS, BUT ARE INSTEAD IN THE TIMING OF GOD. Our heads may be filled with cares and plans for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Divine intervention often throws our plans into bewilderment. All we have in mind, and all we do, should be with a humble and deep dependence on God. It is foolish, and it is hurtful, to boast of trendy “latest happening” things and prospective projects, and it will bring great disappointment and will prove destructive to relationships and meaningful help to others in the end. 

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, 

a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.

These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” 

-1 John 2:16

LISTEN KINDLY - BEFORE SPEAKING YOUR THOUGHTS 

People don't need a lecture on the meaning of suffering or to have a barrage of scriptures “machine-gunned” at them as a reprimand for sharing their moment of grief or struggle! Especially when their hearts are breaking, weary of the battle and if they are fatigued. 

Job could have done without some of the self-righteous answers that came from his “well-meaning” friends. All of the answers could have even been true, but Job didn't need to hear any of them. 

He needed their love, not their value judgments. 

In fact, it appears as if God judged THEM for trying to offer simple solutions to things that were beyond their comprehension. They had never walked in the loss he was in anguish over. 

WHEN WE SUFFER UNJUSTLY WE HAVE A MAJOR CHOICE TO MAKE

How will we respond? We can feel sorry for ourselves (and understandably so, for a while), become bitter and cynical, get drawn into a war of words, or even become mixed up in a major conflict. On the other hand, we can take our suffering to the cross and allow our pain to draw us into a deeper place of understanding of what Jesus went though in his sufferings. This does not remove the pain, but does help us to know what to do with our hurt. 

This is the 'fellowship of his sufferings' (Philippians 3:10), one of the gateways to closeness with God and the release of his power in our lives. The weight of heartbreak shared with a loving friend cuts it in half. When the burden is shared with many friends, we can cope with almost anything. We never feel more revitalized than when a friend loves us enough to walk with us in our pain. Not lecture us. 

The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth: 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God".

-1 Corinthians 1.3-4 

SOMETIMES GOD GETS INVOLVED WITH DIRECT MIRACLES, 

Giving supernatural strength to those in need. But for the most part, he depends on us, his people, to do his work in the world. We love each other, work for healing, and suffer with those who suffer. 

The next time you see a friend who is suffering, Jesus may just invite you to be the warm embrace! We comfort each other with the comfort we have received in Christ. And when we do, we become the Body of Christ and he receives the glory! 

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR! 

We are to bear one another's burdens. 

We are to comfort others as Christ has given comfort to us. 

Your hard time becomes my hard time. 

We join hands in the journey. 

When you succeed, I succeed. 

When you suffer, I suffer. But we do it together. We share it together. 

And we do it, not so much in our wisdom or our words, but in our availability, our understanding, and through our presence. 

THAT'S WHAT FELLOWSHIP IS ALL ABOUT! 

But not “bland” fellowship. It is CHRISTIAN fellowship. It is the business of burden bearing. Authentic CHRISTIAN fellowship says that when you need me . . . I'll be there. Support in suffering is at the core of what it means to share life together in Christ. The word for "comfort” is the same root word as the name Jesus used to describe one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Paraclete). “I will be a comforter, one who comes alongside to give help.” And so as God comes alongside you, now you are able to come alongside another. As the Comforter is at work within you, so you also can be of comfort to those around you. 

WE ARE CALLED TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS. 

To mourn with those who mourn. To be a follower of Jesus means to come alongside people who are hurting and find ways to help them walk even through the valley of the shadow of death. We are called… … To do this. As the word of God and care of God is shared with the intention of stirring, plowing up hardened hearts, creating a place for repentance and challenging saints to hope again, I know and believe that as we learn again as believers, to care, to truly listen and to hope fully again, that the sweet and heavy weight of HIS Glory will be made known and will manifest in unfettered and uncontrolled waves of worship and spontaneous adoration of the King of Heaven.

HE REALLY DOES KNOW WHAT HE WANTS

Let's focus on bowing low and seeking His heart and plans in what matters to Him.

Indeed, HE is the Plumb line. 

Prayer 

God, I ask in Jesus' name, that you comfort, strengthen and encourage all who are hurting deeply right now and are going through so much pain and heartache. 

Don't allow them to give up in the heat of the battle. 

Let them feel your arms wrapping around them and your love overflowing and filling them up. Lord, I will pray often and I know that you will hear my voice, even when I speak to You in my silent thoughts. 

To You, I am crying out and my prayers are now before You. 

Father, I give to You my problems, I do not want them. 

Father, please restore them to You. I know that you have compassion for your children. Father, show them your ways and teach them your paths. Lead them in your truth and teach them you are the God of our salvation and on you we will wait. 

Protect them from the evils of this life and guide them through all of their days. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer Father and for considering and for having compassion on all who hear and read these words, and all who hurt, in this troubled world we live in. 

Keep them in the center of Your love. 

In Jesus’ Name

~ Amen 

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~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerrooms.com

https://marylindow.podbean.com/mobile/

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By Mary Lindow through the Holy Spirit


Preface:

The Lord was tremendously intense with me about the preparation and study that went along with the prophetic insights and words intermingled with this message. I would like to encourage you to read it all thoroughly and to not only skim through it quickly.

This is an hour when the Word and the Spirit are being brought together to demonstrate the ultimate power of Christ!

In His Shadow, Mary 

 "A PLACE AT THE TABLE"

A PROMISE FOR THE DISPLACED AND BROKEN HEARTED"

A Prophetic Insight

By Mary Lindow

"Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons. 

Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate endlessly at the

King’s table, even though he was crippled in both feet."

- 2 Samuel 9 vs. 11b-13

Just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy and completed, to perfect her by the washing with water through the word, and to establish her to himself as an exultant church, without imperfection or wrinkle or any other defect, but holy and guiltless.

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church for we are members of his body. This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5: 25b 32

MEPHIBOSHETH: MEANING "ONE WHO SUFFERS SHAME"

The name was a joining by two members of the family of Saul - his son and his grandson. Let's look at this man Mephibosheth.

His life is a picture of a life of disaster, disappointment, and anxiety.

You think you have troubles?

In reading the story we already know that Mephibosheth is motherless and fatherless, because he is under the care of a nurse.

2 Samuel 4:4 also says that at the age of five his father, Jonathan, David's best friend, was killed in battle along with Jonathan's father, King Saul. To add injury to insult, we are told that when Mephibosheth's nurse heard the news of the murder of Jonathan and Saul, she panicked as she ran from harm's way. And in her running, the nurse dropped the child - causing him to become crippled. So the baby prince who was in the line of succession to the throne became a crippled beggar living as an orphan in hiding.

What should have been a life of wealth became a life of misery, tragedy and heartbreak. While his family was being assassinated, murdered, and banished, his future, as a king would never be fulfilled.

AND MORE THAN THAT, MEPHIBOSHETH WAS PERMANENTLY SCARRED!

We can relate to Mephibosheth's being a victim of sad circumstance. Perhaps you can even testify to being victimized by other's mistakes for yourself. Like Mephibosheth who trusted his nurse, some of us can relate to being dropped by those in whom we've placed our trust.

We're living crippled lives because a person in whom we loved and gave our hearts to...has dropped us.

JUST LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH WE KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE DROPPED BY SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TRUSTED.

Our lives are still suffering from the crippling effects of those disappointments. Everyone has been "dropped" in some way. And if you haven't, you will be. Some are still so proud in heart that they never admit to any weakness and therefore shame those around them who stumble their way to the cross of redemption.

It's no wonder that we are afraid to trust againbecause we've been lied to or used as scapegoats for the escape of others who hide their sins and egos behind loud opinions about how others should behave or...might have done better in the way they have handled the things that have happened in their life's journey!

MANY ARE AFRAID TO TAKE CHANCES BECAUSE OF PAST FAILURES.

Many more are afraid to follow their heart because the plain idea of making one more mistake sends shivers through them. We can't handle another anguish. Sometimes it feels as though we are hanging on by a fine thread.

If God is a merciful God, we wonder when we're going to start seeing the mercy. Our words echo the psalmist as our soul cries out,

"Lord, have mercy on me!" "Have mercy on me, Lord"

BUT THE THING IS, THERE IS MERCY...  ...IF YOU WILL SEE IT.

If you will allow that mercy to saturate your soul. If you'll see that you have an important role to play in that mercy. In fact, "mercy" is really the only reason that you and I are existing today, whether you know that or not.

You are here today because at some level - consciously or subconsciously - you know that God has been and is merciful to you and you are expressing your appreciation for that mercy. You are here today because you know that despite the hurts that have been inflicted upon you, you want to trust, you want to go on, and you want to find hope.

THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE IS BOTH A BIT OF MEPHIBOSHETH AND 

A BIT OF KING DAVID IN ALL OF US.

And, perhaps a bit of King Saul's fear of the loss of power, position, and need for control and honor. That is, we have been hurt, but we have also been healed.

We have been helped, and we also have opportunity to help others. We really have received mercy, and we can offer mercy as well.

WHEN MEPHIBOSHETH WAS CALLED INTO DAVID'S PRESENCE, HE WAS TERRIFIED!

Why shouldn't he be? As the grandson of dead King Saul, Mephibosheth was an heir to the throne that David now possessed. So his first thought was that the king would kill him because he might see him as a threat.

Secondly, Mephibosheth has experienced little in his life that would make him believe that something good could happen to him, so he expected injury. His own words were, "What is your servant that you should look ona dead dog such as I?"

Then King David sent and brought him out of the house: Mephibosheth must have been terrified when messengers from David knocked at his door and demanded that he come with them to see the king. In the back of his mind he must have constantly anticipated the day when David would do as other kings did and murder every possible enemy to his throne.

UP TO THIS POINT MEPHIBOSHETH AND DAVID NEVER HAD A RELATIONSHIP AND IT WAS BECAUSE MEPHIBOSHETH WANTED IT THAT WAY.

HE AVOIDED DAVID OUT OF UNFOUNDED FEARS. BUT DAVID REMOVES THE FEARS OF MEPHIBOSHETH.

Verses (7-8) So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually."

Then Mephibosheth bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?

Mephibosheth didn't feel worthy of such generosity. He considered himself a dead dog, meaning a worthless and insignificant person.

All the years of hiding from the king and Living in fear and poverty made Mephibosheth thinks of himself as Worthless.

THE OFFER OF MERCY

David didn't want to add to Mephibosheth's Misery. David offered mercy.

Mephibosheth - in his amazement and skepticism - is restored.

No, he didn't retrieve the ability to walk. Mephibosheth's weakness did not vanish. The end of the scripture is clear about that. "He was crippled in both feet."

But he was given a place at the table of the king.

This goes far beyond giving Mephibosheth what was rightly his!

THE HONOR OF A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING

David gave Mephibosheth the honor of a close relationship withthe king. The miserable, unfair, undeserved events of his past didn't change. But he was re-established within the kingdom and given an opportunity to live out the rest of his life with dignity.

Because David - the King - was merciful.

DAVID KNOWS THAT HE HAS BEEN AN OBJECT OF GOD'S MERCY IN HIS LIFE.

That he has already been delivered from extreme circumstances and from ...his own unpredictable behavior.

David is merciful, because he has received mercy - a melody that will continue throughout David's entire life, even when David didn't deserve mercy. And - on another level - David knows that, as he acts as the status of king - also by God's anointing, and not his own skill - that he must model the mercy of God within the kingdom.

BLEMISHES OF THE "CRIPPLED" BRIDE

Just like in Ephesians 5 are the blemishes of the "crippled" bride...she is much like Mephibosheth.

Hiding, fearful! And....the King of our souls, Jesus...restores and cleanses us...brings us to His table as His Bride, and covers our lameness, our disfigurement underneath the linens of the bridegroom's table where no one dare point out our imperfections.

We are perfected BY His Mercy! David knew that human beings and a society that exist without forgiveness and mercy are already doomed to self-destruction by their bitter doubt.

JESUS DIED FOR THIS VERY REASON. SO THAT WE MIGHT MODEL HIS KIND OF GUTSY FORGIVENESS AND MERCY.

AND SO THE STORY FALLS TO US AS EMERGING LEADERS IN THE KING'S KINGDOM!

We who are like Mephibosheth who have been injured by dreadful circumstances and by careless people; and we who are like David, have the opportunity to be instruments of mercy.

We who are like Mephibosheth and David who have received mercy; and we who must decide if we will live lives of resentment because of prejudiced facts or ...live lives of gratitude because of undeserved and unexpected mercy.   The story falls now to us.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE. 

AS WE HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED,

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN DELIVERED.

Remember, David - the King - had to decide if his kingdom would be one of dread or grace. David had to decide if his realm was going to be established on grounds of vengeance or the refinement of mercy. In being an instrument of grace, David is setting the stage for his great, great, great grandson Jesus, who will be the ultimate expression of mercy to all of us.

In the entire history of humanity no one was more misunderstood or viciously abused than David's ultimate successor, Jesus. Yet no person was ever more merciful.

AS HEIRS OF DAVID AND CHRIST IT IS NOW UP TO US TO PUT INTO PRACTICE THE VERY TREASURE THAT DAVID HONORED IN THIS STORY.

Loyalty, respect, unwavering love, and the well being of others.

Like David did for Mephibosheth, God has honored and blessedus with the promise of eternal life, inviting us to dine at His table, in His kingdom eternally. Also, God does this, not because of any goodness upon our part, but "because of Jesus."

THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY 

AND WHY WE ARE PART OF THE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST.

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN BROKEN.

And because He has restored - and is restoring - US by His mercy, He invites us to His table, we MUST look around to see who else needs a place at the table, on His behalf! Not out of our great "earned reputations" or past accomplishments! No!

We as models of the Fatherly and Motherly compassion of a heavenly King invite others, to the table of "covering" and honor. We bring mercy, expressed with "tender hearts."

The best person to want to be like is not always the strongest or the best looking!! When we become like Mephibosheth, we can truly understand mercy and grace.

BEING LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH MEANS:

1. Realizing that the king sought me out.
2. Understanding what I deserved from the king.
3. Acknowledging the ones who brought me to the king.
4. Humbling myself in the sight of the king.
5. Rejoicing in the words of the king.
6. Accepting the provision of the king.
7. Adjusting my life to the requests of the king.

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,

And make me willing to obey you.

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by Mary Lindow

I HAVE AN UNUSUAL STIRRING IN MY SPIRIT FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT AS I WRITE THIS MESSAGE.

The Lord is revealing a sound in the earth coming from the hearts and deep cries of so many of His people right now. Perhaps it might even be yours as you read. There is a cry of hunger for His sure, safe presence in difficult times and in changing times.

A NEED FOR QUIET 

The world and it's voices of influence, humanistic subtleties and constant technology and it's sounds bring about an overload of weariness to all people, and there is a greater need for a place of rest for the warriors of truth who are very aware of the pressures that have not stopped mounting for many years now.

THERE IS MUCH TREACHERY OCCURRING IN THE EVIL PLANS OF DARKNESS AND THE PEOPLE HELD CAPTIVE BY IT THESE DAYS! 

It can bring a real sense of despair, broken-heartedness and shock when you encounter this type of thing and when it attempts to destroy your hope and confidence in what the Lord Jesus has set you apart for to express in His Power and in His name.

WHY OH WHY ALL THE DELAYS? 

I don't know fully why it seems as if good people who are sincere and pure hearted seem to go through more persecution and repeated difficulty than those who seem to be the ones perpetuating the majority of it!!

SO MANY RIGHT NOW ARE NEARLY AT THEIR WITS END 

WAITING FOR GOD TO RELIEVE THEM OF SORROW, 

DISILLUSIONMENT AND BATTLE FATIGUE!

"My soul faints with longing for your rescue, 

But I have put my hope in your word."

Psalm 119:81

THE ENCOURAGER HEARS YOU! 

"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; 

You encourage them, and you listen to their cry."

Psalm 10:17

What is this verse saying to you and I right now?

It is saying that the Lord Himself will encourage us! That is why we must continue to fight for that place of Divine refuge! That "get away from it all place" of hungering and longing for His comfort.

He knows our hurt, our loneliness, our scorched and heart torn issues! 

He understands how agonizing and bled out we can get when it seems as if battle after battle we begin to wonder if something might be wrong with us!

"Hope delayed makes the heart sick, 

but when dreams come true, 

there is life and joy." 

Proverbs 13:12 (NAT)

NOTHING CAN SATISFY DRY LIPS LIKE WATER! 

We are in a time where no persons opinions, no one's books, no one's TV shows are going to satisfy that craving, that need for a thirst quenching drink of companionship with God.

We long to hear words from someone that tell us everything is going to be all right! That our children will be safe, our homes protected, our basic needs provided! And yet! Nothing out there satisfies us fully!

You see Dear Beloved of the Father,

THE SEASON OF GREAT HUNGER FOR THE SIMPLE WALK WITH JESUS HAS BLOSSOMED!

Only time spent with him like a dear, dear friend, will fill the gaping ache you have. He will speak, He will comfort, and He will show you what is true and what is false in the days ahead if you will return to that Place of companionship with Him. Away from the opinions of men and the noise of this life.

"Every word you give me is a miracle word- how could I help but obey? 

Break open your words, let the light shine out, 

let ordinary people see the meaning. 

Mouth open and panting, 

I wanted your commands more than anything. 

Turn my way, look kindly on me, 

as you always do to those who personally love you." 

Psalm 119:129-131 (The Message)

A PROPHETIC WHISPER TO YOUR HEART FROM THE SAVIOR 

To know of My ways, you must know ME! 

To Know Me, you must spend time with ME. 

To spend time with Me, you must purpose, to put aside the lists of things you have to do, before you can spend time with Me. 

Order you days first in My Presence, and watch the desires of your heart be fulfilled. Man and his counsel will always fall short of the full truth of My Wisdom. I have blueprints and a Master plan for so many things yet to build upon in your life.

Come. Let us talk again together. 

You are the temple, the house of My Holy Spirit. I desire to build you up in spiritual strength as you walk in prayer conversations with me. I will fulfill your longing for peace and direction as you step up again into a heavenly trust and rest.

People will change, man will fail you, friends will turn, if they are not seeking My Voice above the clamor of the day. And you My child will fail others, if you listen to your own voice of reason and intelligence. As you turn to Me, you will see My compassion poured out upon you and you will then have My power of pure godly compassion and Wisdom-driven grace to pour out on others.

I too, long for you as well! Seek Me - with all of your heart, your longings, your heartaches, your dreams. And I will be there with arms of strength to rescue you from Despair.

"You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart." 

Jeremiah 29:13

"The LORD is good to those, whose hope is in Him, 

to the one who seeks Him." 

Lamentations 3:25

**************** 

 Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed

provided that complete message, podcast and website information 

for Mary Lindow is included.

Thank You! Copyright © 2016 -  " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow

 www.marylindow.com

www.globalprayerrooms.com

www.marylindow.podbean.com

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