No matter the age, no matter the number of years one has lived, we all know our own faults and weaknesses.

Some are visible.

Some are known only to one’s self.

A few years ago a writer, local to
me, wrote a very introspective book….

The True Measure of a Man.

One statement in the book stood out to me ….
“One of the greatest fears in a man’s life is the fear of being found to be a fraud.”

I spent the trip I was on while reading that book looking inward and inspecting my life and work and walk ….and found myself remembering moments of failure, times of fraudulent words or behavior.

If one truly examines their life there will be times such as I recalled in mine.

Some were unintentional.

Many were fully intentional.

Introspection such as this will lead
you into shame, humility, maybe fear of being unmasked.

Introspection such as this is good and proper …..
only to the extent it results in cleansing ….

and the recollection of Who it was that rescued us from the depths of regret and shame.

Continual dwelling in those recollections can be a sin unto itself.

Once, I found myself dwelling in the recollection of a behavior which was diametrically opposed to who and what I was and aspired to be.

And I caught myself glorying in it.

Glorying in what initially brought me to feel shame.

That, to me, can be the worst type of iniquity in a Believers life.

I am grateful that the One Who leads me in paths away from that thought process and behavior… Intervened and led me away from remaining in that darkness.

For that is what a spiritually guided life is….we may get caught in the weakness brought on by ourselves or this world….and before we set up a household on that cliff…
we are reminded of who we are and drawn back into the life we have been purchased into.

The Second King of Israel had a closer-than-blood friend. After the friends death, David came upon the son of his fallen friend.

Mephibosheth was brought in by the King to dwell in the Palace…. given great privilege and prominence only because he was Jonathan’s son.

He was crippled.

He was afflicted.

Yet, even with those visible afflictions, he was given that prominent position and special privilege ….and appeared perfectly normal ….. 

sitting with his feet under the table of the King.

His faults were covered by the
Kings Favor at The King’s Table.

My faults and fraudulence are covered by The Kings Favor….at His Table.

I cannot venture away from that
gifted privilege or I will appear uncovered and my weaknesses and the darkness I chose to walk into will be revealed.

If Mephibosheth walked out of the
privileges granted him he would have also seen his own faults. 

Remembered them.

Maybe been brought down by them.

I must keep my feet under that table.

I must continually make my dwelling in those Courts I was brought into by The One Who watches over me.

For I am Mephibosheth….
living a gifted existence,
having my numerous deficiencies
excused and covered by The Favor of One I can never repay.

July 18, 2017