“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5
The warmth of summer approaching brushed our shoulders as five Jesus loving ladies gathered for lunch. On the way to meet, text messages began to come saying, “On my way”, “Me too”, “Same”, as all of us but one ran late. The one on time sent a message saying, “I got a table for us.”
One of the friends responded, “Like Jesus.“
Yes, isn’t that so like Jesus? If you knew this friend, she indeed is so “like Jesus”.
Jesus would get the table, and it would be the perfect table.
Jesus not only gets the table, but He also prepares it.
On the night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus and His disciples sat at a table. At this most famous table depicted in countless paintings throughout time, Jesus instituted communion and talked of the new covenant which we, as believers, now joyfully share.
“Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.'” Matthew 26:26-27
All of us are faced with a choice as we see the table prepared and set before us. We can choose to receive the blessings set before us or we can choose to turn away from the table out of feelings of unworthiness to come to the table.
When meeting with my friends, what if I would have arrived, saw the table my friend has reserved, all of them sitting there enjoying the beauty of the outside perfect Spring day, and joyfully fellowshipping, and then thought, “You know, I’m not dressed up enough” or “I don’t feel worthy to come to this table” or “All of those Jesus loving ladies probably have it all together, I can’t come to the table.” What if I just left?
The very thought brings a dreary drizzle to the warm Spring sunshiny day.
Not one of those thoughts entered my mind. Why didn’t they? Because I knew I belonged at that table.
And if Jesus is our Lord, Savior, and friend, we belong at His table. But how many times do we walk away, leave the table, and all of the blessings of the table on the table as we allow the lies in our mind keep us from receiving all the blessings the Lord has prepared for us on the table in a gourmet spread.
This weekend, Deeper Still has five retreats occurring in five different states. Those with abortion wounds often feel unworthy to come to the table to receive all the Lord has for them to receive. Will you pray with us for these women and men coming to these retreats to come to the table and receive every blessing the Lord has for them this weekend? Thank you!
Father, we thank you that we are welcome and belong at Your table. Lord, we pray for these participants going to retreats all across this nation to find deep healing from the wounds of abortion and to be set free from the bondages of guilt and shame. Lord, may your sun (Son) shine on their shoulders and the warmth of your loving presence fill every retreat so nothing is left at the table, and may they receive every blessing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you need healing from an abortion, please go to www.GoDeeperStill.org for more information about our retreats. Also Karen Ellison’s book Healing the Hurt that Won’t Heal is an excellent resource for healing.