The Sovereign Free Favor and Rich Grace of God

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 2 Samuel 9:8.

Old love cannot be forgotten: it makes such deep, and leaves such lasting impressions on the mind, which time itself cannot efface. This was verified in David and Jonathan. The latter is dead; yet love to his memory lives in David’s heart. Hence, he enquires after the remains of his family, to shew kindness unto them. Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, is introduced to the king: he thus expresses the affection of his royal heart to him, “Fear not; I will surely shew kindness to thee, 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.” Had any of David’s subjects a right to arraign, and call him to an account, for this sovereign act of favour? Which of them would dare to say unto him, What doest thou? But yet proud hearts rise with indignation, and utter their horrid speeches, against the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, for dispensing his free favour and rich grace, which he owes to none, to whom he pleases. See how Mephibosheth is affected. Struck with astonishment, he bows with humility, and rates himself A DEAD DOG! totally undeserving such signal favours. Generous love, in freely bestowing unmerited mercies, sinks reflecting minds into deep humility and self-abasement. O that God’s free grace to us in Jesus, may so affect us! Did such love dwell in David’s heart to all who belonged to Jonathan? Then, (1st.) here is a picture of the everlasting, infinite, and immutable love of God to all who belong to JESUS. Jonathan signifies, the gift of the Lord: this, Christ is to us. (2d.) Did David enquire after them? so God sends his Spirit, to seek us. “Thou shalt be called, sought out.” (Isaiah 62:12.) (3d.) Was Mephibosheth lame in his feet? we are so crippled by sin, that we cannot run the way of God’s commandments. Yet, (4th.) says David, “Fear not:” so saith our God, “Fear not; I have called thee by thy name,”—a sinner. (Isaiah 43:1.) (5th.) Says David, “I will surely shew kindness to thee:” “With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:8.) (6th.) “I will restore thee all thy father’s land:” “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (7th.) “Thou shalt eat bread continually:” we are appointed to eat bread at our Lord’s table in his kingdom. (Luke 22:29-30.) (8th.) Why is all this? “For Jonathan thy father’s sake.” O, sinner! be it known unto thee, all these favours, in time and to eternity are bestowed upon thee for Jesus, the Son of God’s sake, ONLY. Now, what say you to all this? Will you not fall down and own, I am as a dead dog, and deserve to be as a damned devil? “But grace reigns.” (Romans 5:21.)

- William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God, Volume 2, March 21