Feeling Emotionally Lame?

Remember in the Bible, after David’s best friend Jonathan was killed in battle, David went looking for any family member of Jonathan’s that he could find in order to show kindness to him? (If you’re not familiar with the reason why he did it, read 1 Sam. 20:11-15.) After searching for a family member, David discovered that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was “lame in both feet.” David asked someone to go fetch Mephibosheth, and with fear and trembling, the poor guy was brought to David. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Sam. 9:7)

Through no mustering of his own genius, Mephibosheth got to live off of the king’s favor from then on.

You know what’s interesting? That term describing Mephibosheth, lame in both feet, is translated contrite in other places.

David is a type of Jesus Christ in many ways. And here he showed kindness and favor to a contrite person. Contrite means crushed, collapsed, broken, dust. That pretty much describes Mephibosheth, and maybe it describes you sometimes. But now read what God thinks of crushed, collapsed, broken people who feel like dust.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Ps. 34:18) 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Ps. 51:17)

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isa. 57:15)

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isa. 66:2) 

Like David looking for someone to show kindness to, God looks for someone to show kindness to, and wouldn’t you know, He chooses the same kind of person David chose. Contrite, broken, humble and crushed.

If you are prone to depression, those verses would be good ones to print out on a card and hang around the house. God is for you! Everyone should be as contrite so they can experience God’s attention, presence and reviving.

Here, pray David’s prayer: I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. (Ps. 38:8) Sore broken means contrite. Call out to God. He is listening and ready to come alongside and revive you.