The Old Testament repeatedly tells us of the many times which God’s people wandered, not only physically, but spiritually as well. Their hearts were drawn to other gods, and idols took the place of the one true God.
Reading the book of Jeremiah is sobering as the prophet clearly indicates the wanderers will one day regret the days they wasted.
Yet God waits and longs to take them back to be His people.
There is nothing on TV these days and so, I have been on a Blue Bloods kick. Having not seen the earlier episodes, I find myself returning to a channel that plays episodes nightly.
Reading Jeremiah brought the dinner episodes to mind.
Every Sunday without fail, dinner is served at the same time and all the family is expected to be there. If one member is late, they may wait a bit, questioning if anyone knows where they might be. As much as they may not like it, they begin to partake of dinner.
Most times, the missing person will come running in and slip into their empty chair with apologies. But no matter what, all the family members make it to dinner.
Here’s my point …
We are so good at making excuses when God is waiting for us and we don’t show up. God is waiting and yet, so many refuse to come.
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NASB)
Jesus tells a parable to His disciples in which a man was giving a big dinner, and invited many to come. At the time set for dinner, he sent out his slave to gather the guests who had not shown up.
“And yet they all alike began to make excuses.” (Luke 14:18, NASB)
They all had their reasons:
- “I purchased a field and I need to go out to look at it.”
- “I bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out.”
- “I took a woman as my wife, and for that reason I cannot come.”
The master sent his slave back out into the streets with a new task:
“Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here those who are poor, those with disabilities, those who are blind, and those who are limping.”
(verse 21, NASB)
The Lord is filling up His dinner table,
drawing those who will hear His Words,
to come and dine.
“Then he said to me, “Write. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9, NASB)
I truly encourage you all to visit one another. There are so many wonderful posts each week which offer much wisdom and encouragement. It was difficult to pick a post this week and so I bring you two!
Lynn Simpson brings a precious reminder to “move closer to Him who gives you the nutrition to thrive.” Her post “Five Ways to Stay Close to God” is beautiful in both words and photos.
Amy Jung asks herself, and each of us, “Do I live life like I believe that it is under the Lordship of Christ no matter how mundane, sorrowful, or frustrating it is?” Her post, “Do I Live Life Like I Believe It’s Under the Lordship of Christ?” explores the question.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Cory Bjork on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
I am so pleased that the Lord gave us the image of the table as his point of gathering with his much-loved people. So much good can happen around the table, even here on this broken ground.
Amen, Michele. Broken people gathering on broken ground brings wholeness.
Those dinner scenes in Blue Bloods always reminded me of home, Joanne. A loud, happy group of people gathered around big platters of ravioli or plates of spaghetti. My heart warms at that thought, as well as the thought of the Father who patiently waits for all who will come.
I love the imagery of God’s kingdom as a dinner table where everyone is invited. What joy and fellowship around His table! I’m sad for those who don’t come and pray that they will.
Love this post this morning as I start my day and feel wooed into His presence. The table is more than a place we partake of food to nourish our bodies. You invite everyone who reads to come to that table. I pray they will hear because the time is growing shorter till He returns for this who accept the invitation.
Lots to consider here Ms. Joanne. May I find what I thirst for in God’s Word.
Thank you Joanne, for this exhortation to commune with God, for He waits for us. I have been reading through Jeremiah too, and for the first time these verses struck me; though God rebukes His people for their sin and foretells the severe judgement, yet He is grieved. My heart broke to read these words, in Jeremiah 10:19-20, “Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous; but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it. My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.”
God’s children no longer wanted to meet with Him in the sacred place He provided….Oh that we would not grieve the Lord with our indifference to His invitation of fellowship.
The parallel you provided by comparing the Blue Bloods’ dinner table and the man inviting those he knew to dinner with expectation provided such a good visual of how God waits patiently for us to come to the table! I love that God waits – but I also love how God doesn’t just sit around when he’s disappointed – He goes in search for those who need Him! It’s a good, working example of how to not give up when we’re disappointed.
Beautiful picture of our earthly family gatherings of love and fellowship, and our heavenly Father’s invitation to draw near and fellowship with Him.
Love this, thank you Joanne!
Blessings, Jennifer
Joanne, I loved your example of family dinner and waiting for the late one. 🙂 I’m so thankful for God’s patience, but I’m also grateful for His grace in calling the “less than” to His wedding feast. Such a great reminder!
Beautiful analogy given here in the Word…gathering at the table…
Dinner (or any meal shared with family) is precious. We not only share food, we share love. It’s wonderful to recognize that we are always welcome at God’s table and to be assured that no one will ever love us as much as God.
Joanne, I loved the analogy you used here. Gathering with all of you at His table. This is such a comforting and encouraging lesson.
Beautiful post, Joanne. I love the idea of the Lord inviting us to His banquet table for fellowship with us. And how amazing to know we are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And Jesus is saving us a seat. 🙂