A Table Prepared

Psalm 23 (NIV84)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I don’t like all you can eat buffets. Well, I do enjoy the variety but there a few things I don’t like about them.

First, I don’t like that the food prepared was not prepared for me. Hence, I have to pick and choose what I think I will like. When I can’t make up my mind, a buffet is not a good idea—you may grab a bit of everything. Sure, you may fill up, but you may not be satisfied. You may, accidently, find a great dish but may not ever find it again. The chefs are always different.

1. You will find a meal prepared for you at the Table

Sub point 1: The Invitation

God invites us to His table, even though we are unworthy and undeserving.

Sub point 2: The Table is Set

The Lord prepares the table for us, with all the provisions we need.

Sub point 3: The Table is Ready

The table is not only set, but it is also ready for us to come and partake.

Don’t take the invitation for granted

Lk 22:21 “21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.”

Betrayal at the table

2. You will be under God’s protection at the Table

Another reason I don’t like buffets is that it feels like a competition. You have to run to the counter in hopes that enough was prepared or you will wait. On top of that, when you get back to your seat, your drink is missing—servants took it because no one was at the table. Your seats are not even protected unless you leave something on them.

Sub point 1: The Rod

The Lord's rod protects us from harm and danger.

Sub point 2: The Staff

The Lord's staff guides and leads us in the right direction.

Sub point 3: The Comfort

God honors you so that all can see

The Lord's presence and protection bring comfort to our souls.

The Story of Lot offering his daughters instead of his guests.

Gen 19:8 “8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.””

Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 19)

Hospitality toward strangers was generally considered a moral imperative in the ancient Near East. This honor code meant that Lot could not turn the strangers over to the men of Sodom. In a patriarchal culture, daughters would have been viewed in lesser terms than Lot’s male guests.

3. You will receive God provision at the table

Still, another is that they have things I don’t like next to things I do like. However, everyone has been grabbing food all around and in many cases drop crumbs on top of the food I like. They infect what I wanted to eat.

Sub point 1: The Bread

The Lord provides us with the bread of life, sustaining us in all things.

Sub point 2: The Wine

The Lord provides us with the wine of joy, filling our hearts with gladness.

Sub point 3: The Abundance

The Lord's provision is not just enough, but abundant, overflowing, and never-ending.

God is the abundant provider

The reason you don’t have abundance is probably because you don’t have enough haters—those out for blood

God provides abundance

Providing an overflowing cup and dwelling in a house

4. You will be in the Presence of God at the table

Finally, in most cases, all you can eat buffets are not great for fellowship. The places are way too loud. Actually, it seems that people compete to see whose conversation will be heard.

All you can eat buffets are good for people who don’t like commitment. Its like church-hopping. You can go to all kinds of churches because you like to eat a little bit of this, a little bit of that, you don’t have to help, you don’t have to prepare anything, you don’t have to clean, you don’t have to be committed to a meal or dish.

Table fellowship means fellowship with God

Anointing a head for purposes of refreshment

Sub point 1: The Anointing

The Lord anoints our head with oil, symbolizing His presence and blessing.

Sub point 2: The Cup

Our cup overflows with blessings from God.

Sub point 3: The Company

We are not alone at the table, but in the presence of the Lord and His people.