The Kindness of God Stirs Us To Serve

8.24.25 [2 Samuel 9:1-13] River of Life (11th Sunday after Pentecost)

Mercy and peace to you, God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, who have been clothed with compassion and kindness by our Lord Jesus. Amen. 

Whenever power changes hands, we expect to see plenty of changes. Sometimes, it’s small. When you hand someone the remote to the TV, you expect them to change what’s on. The new boss probably doesn’t do things like the old boss. The new coach makes changes to the staff and the schemes, to the plays and even the players. When someone new is elected, we expect them to make changes to their staff and policies. 

Usually, when these changes are made, they serve the interests of the one who is in charge now. If you’ve got the remote, you pick something you want to watch. If you’re the boss, you promote people you like or are going to make you look good. If you’re the coach, you want to make it clear that you’re in charge and that you know what you’re doing. If you’re the new president, you reward those who supported your campaign. 

In 2nd Samuel, Israel is going through an unprecedented change in leadership. Saul was their first-ever king. But he wasn’t such a great leader. Great leaders are courageous and confident. Saul was scared and insecure. Even though David was one of Saul’s greatest warriors and refused to do anything against Saul, Saul envied him, then despised him, and finally hunted him like a dog. 

Despite Saul’s best efforts, David, with the help of the Lord and also Saul’s son, Jonathan, escaped time and again. And when Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, there was a power struggle between David, the Lord’s anointed next king, and those who were a part of the house of Saul. Eventually, David triumphed. 

That’s where we meet David in 2 Samuel 9. He’d been king for a little more than seven years. He was enjoying the only time of peace during his reign. And he asks a strange question: 2 Sm. 9:1 Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake? 

Typically, new kings do their best to exterminate the old royal line. But David remembered his promise to Jonathan, the son of Saul. He promised to show Jonathan’s family—which was also Saul’s family—1 Sm. 20:14 kindness like the Lord’s kindness. Six plus years later, David still remembered his promise to his friend. 

Remembering that promise prompted research. David found an old servant of Saul, a man by the name of Ziba, and asked him if there was anyone left from the house of Saul to whom he could show 2 Sm. 9:3 God’s kindness. When David found out that Jonathan had one last living son, Mephibosheth, who was in a distant and remote village called Lo Debar, David sent for him and kept his word and then some. Look at what David considered to be included in 2 Sm. 9:3 God’s kindness. 1) 2 Sm. 9:7 I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, 2) 2 Sm. 9:7 you will always eat at my table. 3) David assigned Ziba and his house to farm the land for this handicapped man so that he might 2 Sm. 9:10 be provided for and 4) Mephibosheth was treated like one of the king’s sons. David didn’t just have him over for dinner one night. He restored Mephibosheth’s status and property. He made sure that he had the support that he needed and not only that, but he treated him like his very own family. 

This is a striking example of someone keeping their promise and really going above and beyond what was even expected to serve. 

If I were to ask you if anyone has ever let you down, broken their promises, or gone back on their word, you wouldn’t have much trouble coming up with names and promises, would you? If I were to ask you if you have ever done that, you’d acknowledge that you probably had, but you couldn’t remember much in terms of specifics.  

Why is that? Despite our best efforts and desires, we are always inwardly bent. Each of us is self-centered and sinful. And that is the real obstacle to being a kind neighbor or friend. But it’s not the only one. 

Kindness in the Bible is nearly always an activity. It’s an action, not a personality disposition. And again and again, kindness takes the form of sacrificial service. Giving up something we like, something we have some claim on or right to, for the sake of another in need. 

Sometimes, we are called to be kind and serve our neighbor—someone we know who is in need. Just as often, we are called to be kind and serve those we do not know. And, more often than we’d like, we are called to serve those we know do not like us—our enemies. 

That kindness and service take many forms. It may require us to give up some of our resources, to invest some of our skills, or to sacrifice some of our time. And whenever we meet moments like that, you can be sure, the Old Adam will argue that it’s a case of extenuating circumstances. And the Old Adam knows how to beg out with class. Most of the excuses start with I’d love to, but…

I’d love to, but I just can’t right now. I’d love to, but I’m not sure I’m the right person for the job. I’d love to, but I don’t know where to start. I’d love to, but I can’t swing it. I’d love to, but…

While the I’d love to, but’s…are rolling off our lips, our minds are racing with questions and worst case scenarios. What if I look or feel silly? What if I’m the only one who steps up? What if they try to take advantage of my kindness? What if I can’t keep helping or serving? What if I get burned out? Our wicked sinful nature will try to wiggle out of doing whatever God calls us to do. Our indifference can hide behind busy schedules. Our insecurities contrive potential catastrophes and still make long lists of all the others who are better suited for this task.   

We have forgotten who we are. As Paul reminds us, Eph. 2:10 we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do. We and the opportunities to serve are made for each other—even if we don’t see it. We and the people who need our help are loved by the same kind Lord, who never said I’d love to, but…

Throughout Jesus’ life, there were plenty of moments he could have said such a thing. Instead, his life, his death, and his resurrection are characterized by a different phrase: I love you, so…

I love you so… I came into this world and shared in your pain and shame and suffering. I love you so…I confronted sin and Satan. I love you so…I sought you out. I love you so…I called you out of your sin and into repentance.. I love you so…I set aside the power and authority of being the One True God and became your servant. I love you so…I died for those sins. I love you so…I rose so that you could laugh at death. I love you so…I ascended into heaven so that I might prepare an eternal residence for you. 

Jesus did more for us than David did for Mephibosheth. He found us. He gave us a status we never had—children of God. He invites us to his Table, where he feeds and nourishes us for eternity. He provides servants—pastors and teachers, elders and mentors—who serve us and help us prosper spiritually. He gifts us, by his Holy Spirit, a harvest of righteousness. He opens heaven to us all!

This Lord Jesus, who lived for us, who died for our sins, who rose to life for justification, who sits at the right hand of the Father and rules all things for the good of his Church, loves you so you can love others. He served you so that you might serve one another. And he has promised that in him, you are right for the moment of service and the moment of service is right for you. 

So put aside pious-sounding Goldilocks behavior. Stop looking for the perfect fit. The perfect moment. The perfect timing. The perfect person to help. The perfect sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after serving. There is no perfect on this side of glory—except 1 Jn. 4:18 the perfect love that drives out all fear. 

The One who is perfect love, Jesus, continues to lead us in paths of righteousness for the sake of his glorious name and continues to drive out all fear from our hearts. We don’t have to fear that our service won’t be good enough, won’t be appreciated enough, or won’t be enduring enough to make a difference. Jesus, the eternal God, has invited you. Jesus, the living Lord, has empowered you. Jesus, the Prince of peace, will continue to provide for you. 

There are many people who work in what we call the service industry. They wait on our tables, they answer phones, they drive people and deliver items, and they respond to call buttons when you’re laid up in the hospital. There are a few in these service industries who are not good at their jobs. But do you know what they usually have in common? They don’t really care about the job or about the people they are serving. But the flip side is also true. There are plenty of people in these industries that do care—way more than they are being paid to. They go the extra mile. Not only do they offer service—they do it with a smile. They are genuinely happy to help people they know, complete strangers, and even the most cantankerous of their clientele. And they are imperfect people!

Just like you and I. And their service has only temporal benefits. Not true for us! What we do in serving our family at home and in church has far reaching effects. What we do in serving complete strangers makes them stop in their tracks and wonder—are they getting paid? What we do in serving people who don’t think much of Jesus or his Church forces them to reconsider their negative notions about us. 

So serve joyfully—not out of guilt or some sense of obligation. And when the joy isn’t there initially, don’t let your worries or doubts or insecurities or selfishness rob you of God’s gift to you—to serve. And whatever you do, whether it’s serving those who are eating or drinking, visiting or asking questions, looking for an ear or looking for wise Biblical counsel, do it all to the glory of the God who made himself your servant. Amen.