Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red DevotionsSýnishorn

“The Table”
Devotional- Chris Tomlin

We often read about tables in the Bible. We read about them at the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:17-30). We read about them from David in the Psalms (Psalm 23 and 36). We read parables Jesus told about them (Luke 14:15-24). Feasts, banquets and tables. Why are they so important in the Bible? Perhaps because the table is such a powerful image of true belonging. You can be distant friends with someone for years, but when you sit at her table and eat her food, it will bond you like other types of time together can’t.

I will feast at the table of the Lord
I will feast at the table of the Lord
I won’t hunger anymore
At His table

Think about your ultimate dinner party invitation. It could be from a celebrity or someone you admire from afar or your best friend, but think about what person you would be most excited to receive an invitation from to dinner. It would feel so great to be included by him or her, right? Like you were let into the club. You would enjoy yourself so much, feeling included and special in that person’s eyes. In Psalm 36 David describes a different type of dinner party, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (v. 7-9).

No matter how famous or wonderful the person is you pictured above, I doubt that person could give you drink from the rivers of delight, or provide refuge in the shadow of his wings or have a fountain of life in his front yard.

Come all you weary
Come and find
His yoke is easy
His burden light

God’s table is different. In Matthew 11, Jesus extends what truly is the ultimate invitation that speaks to all of our weary souls: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (v. 28-30). God’s table offers so much more than sustenance and an enjoyable evening. It offers comfort, peace and life.

Pay attention to where you are feasting. Is it with the desires of our flesh and the people we seek approval from? Or is it with the Lord, in his delight and in his peace and comfort?

By Andrea Lucado