Family by Choice: God’s Heart for Family Beyond BiologySample

Mephibosheth – Welcomed by the King, It’s Never Too Late for Family

“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. ‘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.’ (2 Samuel 9:6-8)

Mephibosheth was just five years old when his father, Jonathan, and grandfather, King Saul, were killed in battle. In the chaos that followed, his nurse dropped him—leaving him permanently disabled. He spent years in obscurity, forgotten by most and living in fear of what the new king might do to him.

But King David remembered Jonathan’s son and sought him out. Rather than treating him as a threat, David welcomed Mephibosheth to his table as one of his own sons—restoring his dignity and inviting him into a new family.

Today, many children in foster care age out of the system without ever finding a permanent family. Without support, they face increased risks of homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of guidance.

But we can make a difference. Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), mentoring a young adult, or supporting aged-out youth through a trusted nonprofit can have a lasting, even eternal, impact. Just as David chose to honor and care for Mephibosheth, we can be advocates, mentors, and a source of hope for those who feel forgotten.

Call to Action:

Thousands of young adults age out of foster care each year without a permanent support system. Explore organizations in your area that help these youth access housing, education, and job opportunities. Could you offer mentorship, financial support, or simply a sense of belonging to someone without a family?

Prayer:

Father, we lift up the young people who have aged out of the foster care system without a family to call their own. May they—like Mephibosheth—be remembered, welcomed, and given a seat at the table.Inspire those who have the heart of David to step forward, offering love, stability, and belonging to those who feel forgotten. May we be Your hands and feet, providing family to those who need it most. Amen.

Conclusion:

Family is more than biology—it is built on love, commitment, and the willingness to say, I choose you. Throughout Scripture, we see God working through individuals who stepped into the role of caregivers, protectors, and mentors, offering belonging to those without a place to call home. Whether through foster care, kinship care, step-parenting, adoption, or mentorship, every act of love and support reflects God’s heart for family.

If you are considering stepping into this calling, know that your role matters. Providing love and stability to a child—even for a season—can change the course of their life. Just as God welcomes us into His family, we have the opportunity to extend that same love and belonging to others. May we open our hearts and homes, trusting that God will equip us to be the family every child deserves.

About The Hope Effect:

This devotional was provided by The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way the world cares for orphans. To learn more about biblical approaches to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children through family-based care, visit hopeeffect.com.