Our grandchildren love to come to our house for special occasions and have a “feast” at our table. They call it that because we put on a tablecloth, we use special dishware, the food is placed in serving dishes, we put out special dishes with pickles, pickled beets, sliced homemade bread, and all their favorite foods. Our granddaughter loves to do little things to decorate the table and the area around the table too. It is a joyful time for everyone!
This morning as I was praying and
worshiping God, He brought to mind the banquet that He prepares for me every
day! He knows just what I like and what I need and He prepares a table for me
each and every day and invites me to come, sit with Him, eat and drink and be
filled. He puts the food in special dishes and makes it attractive. He serves
only the best wine. And He lingers at the table in conversation with me,
hearing my heart and telling me what is in His heart. He loves me and draws me
into the conversation and teaches me many things.
Song of Songs 2:3-5 puts it this
way, “Like an apple
tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I
delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. Let him lead
me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love. Strengthen
me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.” Once
we have experienced sitting at His table and being fed from His choice foods,
we are drawn to that and desire it. My intimacy with Jesus grows as I spend
time with Him at the table which He has prepared for me.
Psalm 23:5 says, “You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows.” When life is hard and things are pushing in on me,
when circumstances are just plain horrible, still He prepares a table for me,
feeds me and anoints me. And I am strengthened in order to face even the hardest
things in life.
In Luke 14:16-24 Jesus tells the
parable about a banquet. In summary, a banquet was prepared and many were
invited to come celebrate at the table. But those who were invited were too
busy. They had work to do, investments to check out, other people they wanted
to see. And they refused to come. So the one who prepared the banquet invited
those who were poor, crippled, blind and lame. And when the table still had
room, he filled the table with those out in the country and surrounding area. All
the self-important people who were first invited, missed this great event.
How blessed we are to be called to
Jesus’ banquet table each day. He wants to feed us, strengthen us, heal us, and
teach us as we feast at His table He has prepared for us. How sad He must be
when we are too busy to come. How sad we will be when we realize we were
invited, but we missed it because we chose to serve our busyness
rather than sit at His table.
Lord, open my eyes to see the table You have prepared for me. May I never miss a time or place where You have invited me to dine with You. Continue to grow my intimacy with You. Teach me who You are and what You have for me to do each day. Thank You for calling me, inviting me and making room for me at Your table. Amen.
