The Table

The Table

Karen Connell

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. (1)

This is a month we often think about a table. In America, we celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to celebrate our founding and the many blessings in our lives. A time we set aside to share and give thanks together. I have a lot of very good memories of Thanksgiving.

While I grew up in a single-parent home and often had little, at Thanksgiving, my mother always found a way to invite those who had less, and we shared our table. Those memories mean so much to me.

Those kind of memories are what I wanted to consider when the phrase “The Table” kept rising up in my heart. However, I kept being drawn to Psalm 23:5. Frankly it was a bit unsettling. The reason it is unsettling is because the table referred to in this verse is a table made for us by God in the midst of war. It isn’t a nice family gathering. It isn’t a place of celebration. No, it is a table provided in the MIDDLE of the presence of our enemies. It conjures up images of being completely surrounded by powers that can and want nothing less than to crush you. Except for the hand of God staying our inevitable destruction, we would be annihilated.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 N I V

This is the setting, the table, that God chooses to set and display his power, provision, tenderness, and kindness toward us. Not only does he cause our enemies to stop in their tracks on their course of destruction, he also demands they watch as he prepares a lavish feast of comfort, love, provision, and refreshment for us.

Our enemies must witness the depths of his love poured out upon you and me.

I feel very compelled to invite you to tuck this promise deep into your heart. The world is reeling. Shockwaves are shaking our core beliefs. Basic values are challenged at warp speed. Eventually, each one of us will find ourselves in a fierce battle that we cannot win—but God. At that time, remember to look up. King Jesus will stay the enemy and demand they watch as he lays out a spread so luxurious and astounding, a TABLE, just for you and just for me.

1) Psalm 23:5, The Bible Hub Amplified Bible