Lodebar

2 Samuel 9:4-5
And the King said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the King, behold he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then King David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

What a blessed story of redemption! The King shows compassion to the house of a dear friend, and at the same time setting aside the hurt of a strong enemy that was in the same household. How can one do such a good deed? Having mercy and showering mercy on the family of his enemy and his friend in one fell swoop?

Because of the Love of God! That is the answer! "For God So LOVED!" Notice a few things in this passage:

1. Where is he?
David asks Ziba about the whereabouts of this needy person. God is always concerned about the world he created that he allows us, his servants to see and meet needs. God knows where we are at, at all times. God also knows which one of his children is closest to the one whom needs care and mercy. The great commission is accomplished through us as we become concerned about where the "sinner"is located.

Have you asked God this morning to direct your efforts to the exact place of needed service. Have you asked God about the lost? Today our simple prayer should be in regards to the lost; "God, tell me where is he?

2. He is in... Lodebar!
Lodebar, the name sound terrible. Most references state it "Down in Lodebar" I found this comment about Lodebar:

"Lodebar was a dismal place of no pasture, no hope - total desolation.You ended up in Lodebar when you were crushed by the storms of life and believed that life was over for you."

Sin always leaves in its wake dismal consequences. Sin leaves people without proper growth no good pastures to feed from. Sin leaves us with no hope, and in total desolation crushed by the storms of life, and convincing us life is over, it does not matter.

If we are going to anything good for sinners we must seek them by asking "Where is he?" and then we must be proactive and be willing to go "Down to Lodebar"

3. And fetched him out.
David humbled himself to go to the rotten town of Lodebar to fetch him out. A sinner will never come out willingly from his sins. God is in the business of fetching out sinners from the destruction of their old life, redeeming them by giving them new life.

Have you asked God about sinners: Where is he?
Are you willing to stoop down into the Lodebar's to seek the Lost?
What are you doing to Fetch them out of their sinful ways