It’s Time to Leave LoDebar

In 2 Sam. 9:1-13 we read a loving story of King David fulfilling a promise that he made to his friend Johnathan many years earlier in [1 Sam. 20:14-17 NIV] King David had made a covenant promise that he would show kindness to Johnathan descendants forever. In 2 Sam. 4:4-12 we read the account of one of Johnathan’s son named Mephibosheth who was five years old when the news came that both his father and grandfather Saul had been killed in battle and his nurse picked him to run because all of Israel were in fear for their lives. The nurse fell and Mephibosheth became disabled in both feet. Also, Saul’s other two sons were killed, leaving no heir to King Saul’s throne except Mephibosheth; but he went into hiding in Lo Debar.

In 2 Sam. 9:1-12 we see many interesting facts unfold for Mephibosheth’s life, that is in comparison to believers and what Christ has done for us when he came to give us life; and life more abundantly. 2 Sam 9:3 The king asked, “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.”4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”  

The purpose of this post is to give you, the reader an opportunity to leave the place called Lo Debar and enjoy all the promises Jesus Christ has given you. I endeavor to stir you up to overcome “stinking thinking” and become a person that knows they have a right to sit at the King’s table as a son or daughter of the Highest and RECEIVE! All he has purposed for you to have continuously!

In John 10:10 we read that the thief came to steal, kill and destroy; but Jesus came that we may have life and life more abundantly.

Mephibosheth, was crippled in both feet, hiding out in a town which literal meaning was “land of nothing” “A land of no promise.” Can you imagine living without the promises of God active in your life? Mephibosheth was rightfully in the lineage as a royal person…from his father and grandfather King Saul. He was living in a desolate place, a place of no promise… life… will sometimes cripple us, when we are living in desolation with no hope. But God! He knows when and how-to bring us out! That is, if we are willing to leave Lo Debar.

I will define here what is Lo Debar…. It is not only a literal place…it is defined as:

• any belief system that is contrary to the word of God which leads to strongholds; a state of despair without hope it is a place of no promise.
• Lo Debar is a state of mind when a person is in constant fear, perpetual feeling of loneliness and depression, feeling unloved, unwanted, forgotten, worrying, feelings of being unsuccessful, unappreciated…feelings of being trapped with no way out, exiled and cutoff.

The problem is that many believers don’t believe their lives can be better…they have made their camp in Lo Debar; and are not willing to leave. THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM HAS LED TO A STRONGHOLD IN THEIR MIND AND THE ONLY WAY TO ERADICATE A NEGATIVE MINDSET IS 1 Cor 5:  casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the Word of God…. YOU must do the work! Mephibosheth had to leave in order to receive what King David had in store for him. He could have stayed in Lo Debar and thought all kind of negative thoughts of what could happen if he left…would the king kill him or etc. etc. etc. or make endless excuses because of his disability; you see when we are bound with “stinking thinking” we never move forward…our destiny awaits us!

I remember when I was in the military, I was approached by my First Sergeant to become a Warrant Officer in the Supply Corps. They were looking to promote women into this particular field. I happened to meet the qualifications that they were looking for. I shared with a couple of friends that told me not to do it because it would be too hard and I would encounter a lot of discrimination. I turned down the position based on “stinking thinking.” How many times in our lives have we allowed fear, doubt, and uncertainties stop us from moving forward?

To enjoy the benefits at the King’s table you must receive them by faith and not on feelings. Christ came that we may have life and life more abundantly. There are unlimited resources for the people of God to enjoy from the King of King, he has not withheld any good thing from those who walk upright…but you got to believe, receive and go after all he has promised and provided.

I have encountered believers who are angry and blame others for what has or is happening in their lives. They would rather stay in this place of ‘stinking thinking’ hoping that something will happen to change their situation overnight. We had a popular saying back in the 70’s that went like this “what you see is what you get.” I want to flip it and say “what you think is what you get.” Your Lo Debar has a lot to do with your thinking and believing; what you think about yourself is what you believe… and only you and the renewing of your mind with the Word of God can change how you feel and think!

Feel: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition.

Feelings of inadequacy, is a killer to your destiny! Feeling that people will not accept you, feeling like you’re not good enough, feelings of failure; all of these feelings rob you of experiencing what the King has already prepared at the table for you to enjoy.

At the Kings’ table there is abundance, a continuous feast of joy, of freedom, and of Zoe (the God kind of life)

There are many who are in the Body of Christ were at one time crippled by a sin-sick soul and ungodly living But Christ brought change and transformation. It took a conscious decision to receive Christ…it will take a conscious decision to leave LoDebar and not look back. Mephibosheth had to leave Lo Debar in order to receive the goodness of God.

Believers that are constantly living in Lo Debar will never experience the fulness of joy that Jesus promised to give—-John 16:24 ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. Will you make that decision today to leave LoDebar and receive your rightful position at the King’s table? To enjoy a continuous feast of Freedom and Joy in the Holy Spirit!

Blessings to all,

GotWord