IĆ¢ā¬ā¢m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. All of us writing on that same word.
TodayĆ¢ā¬ā¢s prompt is Ć¢ā¬Ā¦. Table.
Thanksgiving.ĆĀ The day when tables are prepared and set for a day of feasting. Turkeys, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, gravy, pies – on tables everywhere to celebrate one day.
Yet this morning, I read the prompt and one verse came to mind. Quickly opening my Bible, I read the words in front of me …
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”ĆĀ (Psalm 23:5, NIV1984)
He – our God – prepares a table in the presence of my enemies. I sat reading those words over and over, wondering what I was missing.
In the stillness of the morning, the image shared yesterday came back to mind – a friend beside her mother who was in her hospital bed, sick with cancer.
There are days our enemies surround us – cancer, divorce, bankruptcy, addictions, loneliness. All very real enemies, longing to spin our souls into despair and despondency.
Those very enemies attempt to convince us it is hopeless. Those enemies spew their lies, telling us our God has left us alone.
And right there, in that very place – our God prepares the table, His table. He tends to us like we would tend to a guest at our earthly tables.
He supplies for our needs, nourishing our souls. He refreshes us and assures us of His Presence in the demands of life.
And then I read the words in the commentary of my Bible ….
“A feast demonstrates the Lord’s care and mercy toward his people. Although enemies can watch, they cannot trouble the guests.” (NLT Study Bible)
It is at His table that we find – He honors us. How amazing is that! He displays His hospitality and care towards us, His people.
It is at His table, He causes our cup to overflow.
And for this, we give thanks.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Friday and Grace & Truth and #DanceWithJesus and Fellowship Friday .
I’m thankful for the table the Lord has prepared for me and for the friends and family that surround both my physical table and my spiritual table.
Yes, so am I. You raise the wonderful truth that we are blessed with multiple tables š
What an Amazing message this morning! God preparing our table is such an encouragement . I especially like the words .. But the enemy is only allowed to watch. I honestly want everyday to be Thanksgiving! š
It’s amazing to think that at our Lord’s table, the enemy cannot bother us. Perhaps we should just stay put at the table! Seriously. XO
Beautiful, Joanne. It’s so comforting and refreshing to remember that God prepares a table for us. Your description here of “our enemies” make that image come to life for me this morning. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouraging thoughts, Betsy. May we linger at His table where our enemies cannot trouble us.
Great Thoughts. Thanks for the reminder. I love the image you paint, and it will be fun, as we prepare our feasts all season, thinking about God preparing a feast for us, and even more, serving us in the midst of the rough times. Thanks for sharing.
He truly does serve us in the midst of our rough times as He knows exactly what we need. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lovely!
Joanne this really blessed me, as I pray to able to trust God with my son’s future which in the natural looks pretty hopeless. Coming to His table and feasting on His Word is certainly the most powerful thing I can do right now, and I thank Him for this table to which we come amidst the presence of our enemies.
Thank you !
Mary, your comment touched me deeply. I am so glad the words encouraged you. May we linger at His table, where He supplies our every need. And may we remember, the enemy cannot trouble us there. Praying for you & your son. Blessings!
LOVE THIS! I haven’t thought of it that way. God preparing a table, to be a good host, catering to all of our needs! Such a beautiful image and reminder of our God.
It’s true, we can so easily forget to see our God from this perspective. And yet, He calls us to His table constantly.
Beautifully expressed, Joanne. God is such an hospitable Host, as you suggests here: “He supplies for our needs, nourishing our souls. He refreshes us and assures us of His Presence in the demands of life.” My mind automatically veered toward Psalm 23 too, but you have really mined its depths and brought it alive in a new way with your words. Thank you!
Joy, thank you for stopping here & for your kind words. May we always come to His table to be satisfied. Blessings!
Wonderful. You got this exactly right.
#7at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/11/your-dying-spouse-88-tabula-rasa-fmf.html
Thank you, Andrew. May God continue to be with you bringing all that you need each day.
I grew up in hicktown USA where the national rodeo circuit went through. This post reminds me of the 4 cowboys who would sit at a card table while a bull ran a muck around them. One by one they would run away and the last one was deemed the winner. That table in the middle of the danger is like the table the Lord prepares for us. Except I think I would feel much safer sitting at the table than sitting there alone. š
Thank you for sharing your memory. Yeah, I’m with you – – I would feel safer at the Lord’s table than at the one in the middle š
I’ve never thought of that verse like this. It makes perfect sense! Thanks.
Lynette
~#52 this week
Grateful it did & that you stopped here! Blessings!