"You prepare a banquet for me in front of my enemies." Psalm 23:5a
WHAT KIND OF BANQUET IS THIS?
- GOD IS THE HOST "You"
- IT'S WELL-PLANNED "Prepare"
"You prepare a table..." שֻׁלְחָ֗ן = shulchan
- I'M THE GUEST OF HONOR "For me"
- IT'S IN PUBLIC, NOT IN SECRET "In front of"
- IT'S ON A BATTLEFIELD "my enemies"
WHAT FORCES OPPOSE GOD'S BEST FOR ME?
- THE WORLD AROUND ME
Jesus - "In this world, you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but take heart . . . because I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
"Do not love the world or all the things in the world. If you love what the world offers, it shows the Father's is not in you. For everything the world values - doing anything that feels good and indulging every lust, being driven by greed to always want more, and the prideful pretending to impress others, does not come from God. The world, and all the things people think are important are actually passing away, but the person who does what God says will live forever." 1 John 2:15-17 - SATAN IS AGAINST ME
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, who is your great enemy." 1 Peter 5:8 (TLB)
"Our fight is not really against people on earth . . . but against the forces of evil in the spiritual world." Ephesians 6:12 - MY OLD NATURE INSIDE ME
Paul ". . . Inside me, my old nature is at is at war with my new mind, which wants to do what's right. But my old self fights back and keeps me struggling with my old patterns and sins." Romans 7:23 WHAT DOES THIS BANQUET SYMBOLIZE?
- GOD WANTS AND WELCOMES FELLOWSHIP WITH ME
"You welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration." Psalm 5:11 (The Message)
"God is gently calling you from the jaws of distress to an open place of freedom where he has set your table full of the best food!" Job 36:16 (NCV)
Action Plan:While a daily quiet time with God is an important practice, it's also important to periodically spend extended time alone with God. One way to do that is to have your own personal spiritual retreat. To download the Personal Retreat Guide, click here. - GOD WANTS TO BLESS ME TO SHOW THE WORLD HIS GOODNESS
"Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world." Psalm 31:19 Action Plan: Make plans to invite a neighbor, a friend, or family to your home. Inviting people in is a great way to be a witness for God's love.
WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
EVERYTHING GOD HAS PROMISED IN HIS WORD
"The promises of your Word taste sweet to me. They taste sweeter that honey in my mouth." Psalm 119:103
"Learn to savor how good the Lord is!" Psalm 34:8 (NAB)
"How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings. We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. You are the source of all life! And because of your light, we see the light!" Psalm 36:7-9 (TEV)
Action Plan: Start reading God's word everyday, the feast that He has prepared for you. If you want help going deeper in your quiet time with God, sign up for the Deeper Devotions workshop taught by Pastor Buddy Owens. To register, click here.
ONE DAY: THE GREATEST BANQUET OF ALL!
"The Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of the finest food for all peoples, a banquet of the best of meats and finest wines. And on this mountain, God will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, and the sheet that covers all nations. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; and he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. And in that day, they will say, 'Surely this is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! Yes. this is the Lord, we trusted in him! So, let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation!'" Isaiah 25:6-9 (NIV)
