Come and Sit at the Table

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5)

Sociologists have determined that a child receives a majority of his/her identity from the family atmosphere, especially gathered around the table, sharing a meal. As we have had the opportunity to travel and partner with people of diverse ethnicities and nations, I cannot think of a culture where sharing a meal together is not revered. It usually is a sign of hospitality, friendship, and community. The table is an intricate part of family and society.

As our children were growing up, we were purposeful to eat at least one meal per day together. Each person had a chair, and when they were not present there was a noted emptiness.

At the table, being present is important. When we slow down and eat together it opens conversation and hearts are intertwined. Sometimes problems or sadness are exposed. Other times the beautiful sound of laughter fills the room. Values and a sense of belonging are established. Diverse personalities develop in an atmosphere of security. Because each member of our family is so distinctly different, we established talking boundaries in order to give the deep thinkers and slow to speak time to express their thoughts. We noticed that when our kids came in from sports activities they were hungry NOW. They would readily take their seats, not having to be called twice, volunteering to set the table, serve the food, whatever was needed, so that all the family could start the meal. Periodically, one of us would come to the mealtime, just slouched in a chair, waiting for the meal to begin. There was an apparent anticipation, yet waiting, to share the heaviness in their heart from the day. They were hungry, hungry for love.

How much more are we sitting at our Father’s table hungry for the meal He prepared for us? In Revelation 17:14, scripture tells us there is a special table. “Blessed (happy) are they called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This is going to be one big party, an enormous celebration as the family of God, together, all of us, at the same time, rejoicing with our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. ALL of us, all the diversity of people, gifts, and experiences. What a sight to behold. That ‘moment in time’ that has not occurred, but Psalm 23 tells us that our Father is constantly feeding us at His table. And that table is set right in the presence of our enemies. It’s the table we come to daily, at any time. Sometimes we are enthusiastic, maybe we just participated in a great victory over the enemy. But there are times we barely have the energy from the fight of life to just slump in our chair. The fight is right around us. We need to know we have family and are loved. The table is set in the presence of our enemy because when the enemy is close, our desperation and hunger positions us to receive all that our Father has. We can receive nourishment, be heard, be seen, be loved, and value and be valued in our identity in the Family.

Again we are sitting to receive not just the title of sons and daughters but more of ‘who we are and why we are here.’ We are hungry. We are hungry for You, God. Our identity, our purpose is starved without the consistent sitting at Your table. It is there sitting there at the table with You and our family we develop our values, our sense of belonging, and the reason we are alive.

Activation:

Read Psalm 23 out loud. Repent. Change our minds of the times we became indifferent to all the Father has prepared for us. Ask God for the gift of hunger and a glimpse of the fact that on this side of the marriage supper of the Lamb, we have a feast to eat while our enemy can only watch.