“How long will you dwell in Lo-de-bar?”

We have all lived in a “Lo-de-bar” condition sometime or other in our life. “Lo-de-bar” means “without pasture” or a dry desert place. “Lo-de-bar” is only mentioned twice in the Bible. But, the most famous story of this place concerns the grandson of Saul, “Mephibosheth.” When David and Jonathan, the son of Saul, became friends, they made a pact, a covenant together.

Now, in II Samuel 9, we see David thinking about his friend Jonathan, who died in battle, and Saul, his father, who was killed. Now, David wants to keep his “covenant” with his close friend, Jonathan. He asks his servant if there is anyone left of the household of Jonathan that he could show kindness to? Ziba, a servant of Saul’s knew of Jonathan’s son, who was lame in both feet. When David asks where he is, Ziba says that he is in the “house of Machir in ‘Lo-de-bar.’” (Remember, “Lo-de-bar” means desert, without pasture, useless land…) David sends for him and looks up to see his guards dragging poor Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul, who was the major enemy of David. The guards drop Mephibosheth before King David, and he drops to the ground like a rag doll. Here is Mephibosheth, whose name is “son of shame,” from “Lo-de-bar,” the desert, without pasture… He is dirty from his trip, dressed in rags, hasn’t had a bath from the long trip, and he’s trembling. The guards are looking on at this “disgusting pile of trash,” the enemy of David. David looks at him and says his name, “Mephibosheth,” and the poor man answers, “Behold thy servant.” But David doesn’t need a servant. He needs to keep his covenant with his best friend who died. And David says, “Fear not!” Then, David goes on to tell Mephibosheth (son of shame) that he will restore all the land of King Saul to him and that Ziba and his household will work the land for Mephibosheth and bring him fruit and bread to eat, etc. “But, for Mephibosheth…” David said, “He shall eat bread at my table, the king’s table, for life!”

Today, you feel as though you are in “Lo-de-bar,” a desert. You may feel that your problem is so big that you cannot handle it. But God can bring you from your “Lo-de-bar” to the place of “blessing” that He has for you!!! Pack your “spiritual bags” and get ready to leave “Lo-de-bar” and go to the house of blessing! Sherry