- Table Prepared
Psalm 23.5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
The metaphor shifts to a guest entertained by a generous host. The Lord is now a Host. (It is unlikely that the shepherd changes into the host.) And this Host is most generous and gracious. We are invited to a banquet table; we experience the unrivaled goodness that is in God: sweets, kindnesses, happiness, peace, and plenty. All of this makes us proclaim, “God is Love!”
Every believer is invited into God’s presence to sit at the royal table, decked out with enough and to spare. The dinner is prepared; come, for all things are ready. God Himself prepared everything necessary for salvation. The guests bring nothing with them but a sense of their own unworthiness and of his lovingkindness. Every blessing we enjoy is dependent on the grace and generosity and forethought of the Father: these are prepared mercies. The blessings of salvation are fully prepared, well cooked and baked, by God: full pardon, full peace and full reconciliation. The table is extravagantly prepared before me, and the ability to respond is inherent in the invitation itself. I sit and enjoy.
There is a Marriage Feast of the Lamb being prepared for us for a future day in the heavenly eternal kingdom. This is not that. This Feast is prepared “before us” for our present enjoyment; we may draw near with our thoughts; we may partake in our hearts. Our gracious host in our weekly Communion Worship Services also prepares this Feast for us. The banquet is for us, for now, for any time we need refreshment: any time we may draw near and receive nourishment for the soul. Come, the table is prepared before you, the feast is spread: the blessings of salvation are prepared before the face of all people.
Not only is the Banquet prepared in full view of all people; it is also prepared for me in presence of my enemies. The Host does not remove all the snakes, wolves, lions and bears; they are still around; He simply neutralizes their power so that all they can do is powerlessly stand around and watch while we enjoy His blessings and gifts. All their designs planned against us are totally ineffectual. Neither the power nor the presence of enemies could prevent the Lord from preparing a table. Satan sees the feast, but he cannot partake and he cannot deprive the believer of that refreshment and provision.