Vs. 5 – “You prepare a table before me . . .”

The Lord has gone ahead of us and prepared a table for each of us.  He has made sure that we receive just the right kinds and portions of food that we need for our lives.  No, you don’t have to go out and get the food yourselves.  No, you don’t have to cook the food.  It is already there on the table for you to eat – every day.

The problem?  Sometimes, we don’t like the food.  Sometimes God prepares food for us that tastes bitter and makes the stomach hurt.  This is our “valley of the shadow of death” food.  Perhaps we have to eat the food of failure or the death of a loved one or a broken marriage or loneliness or sickness.  That is not the kind of food that I would pick for myself.  And yet, the Lord knows exactly what nourishment is perfect for our spiritual health and He prepares the perfect entrees for us.

Whether we receive good savory food in this life or not, it is not for us to tell.  Each person has their own table.  In my opinion, God seems to bless His children during their life no matter how many sour dishes or bitter herbs He makes them eat.  Regardless, we have the promise that we will be satisfied.  Goodness and mercy is promised to us.

Vs. 6 – “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

We often call the communion table, “The Lord’s Table”.  Think about the contents of that table.  Christ’s table was to offer His body and blood as a sacrifice for sinners.  This was not something that was easy for Him to do.  And yet, He did it for the joy set before Him.  He knew the table of the Lord brings greater satisfaction than anything else.