Right Your Wrongs

 

 

 

Nia Taylor, cbn.com

 

It is essential to maintain the relationships God gives us here on Earth. We are all His children and need to treat each other right. Years ago, I decided to close the door on a friendship because our lifestyles no longer aligned. I made a good choice for myself, but the timing was wrong, and the way I went about it was wrong.

In 2 Samuel 9, we learn the story of Mephibosheth. His father, Jonathan was King David’s close friend and his grandfather, Saul was the former King of Israel (1 Samuel 18). Both of these men had been killed in battle (1 Samuel 31).

One day, King David asked one of Saul’s former servants:

“Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” (2 Samuel 9:3 NIV)

His name was Mephibosheth. David sent for him and gave him all the land that belonged to his grandfather Saul and servants to tend it. Plus, he treated him like his own son by having him always eat at David’s table (v. 9-11).

King David was able to right a wrong that was done to Mephibosheth.

A few years ago, my old friend reached out to me and sent me a poem expressing how painful it was to lose my friendship and how broken-hearted she was. I never looked at the end of our friendship in that way. I only saw what God told me to do; I didn't seek Him in how to do it. There was a better way to handle it. I had thought more of myself than of her feelings. God gave us another chance to reconcile. Yes, there are still boundaries because we live two different lifestyles, but we both understand and don't cross those boundaries. We may never be what we were, but it's great still to be a part of each other's lives.

Some people are more open to forgiving than others. I was blessed that my former friend wanted to reopen that door instead of keeping it closed.

That’s not always how it goes. We learn about one such incident in 2 Samuel 10:

David thought, "I will show kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me." So, David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. (v. 2)

However, Hanun met David with war and humiliation. (v. 3-19)

Some people in our lives may not be willing to let the past go. God will give us the grace and wisdom to know how to handle them. They may not know the Lord or have a good relationship with Him. They may not understand the full benefit of forgiveness.

We can reach out and then let the Lord handle the rest. He will fight any battle we might come against. He will help us right our wrongs because He will always get the glory in it.