The Prepared Table

STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare  

The Prepared Table

Thursday, 8 August

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

MORE LESSON: John 6:48-58 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

 

One of the most read psalms of all ages and denominations is Psalm 23. It's a profound psalm that expresses the full love and care of God for His people. In fact, children in some schools still recite this psalm as part of their daily routine. It's a psalm of assured and guaranteed provision of God. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...: Psa. 23:5 is our emphasis this morning. Good news! There is a prepared table before you. It is a table of complete satisfaction that deals with all levels of want. No wonder the Psalmist started with, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. That table is based on covenant not feelings; it is provided for by the complete sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. So, it is not transient or flaky,

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us: Heb. 9:12.

This intense sacrifice ensures the performance of God's promises in our lives, whether for health, wealth or any other thing. Because the table is set, the promises will be fulfilled with speed.

Jesus Himself is so confident of the abundance available at the prepared table that He told the Jews in John 6:50;

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Also, in that psalm, the prepared table includes anointing and an overflowing cup. The Lord's Table is that of complete satisfaction that caters for the spiritual and physical needs of man. That is why no one should miss communion services or come for communion services carelessly. Rather, one should come prepared with expectations to God's prepared table. Could it be that the dryness you keep experiencing is because you do not come often to the Lord's Table? When last did you come with a readiness to partake in faith? Has it not become an empty tradition that you just come to carelessly? Yet all that you need for a complete life, spirit, soul and body is on that table. Get out of lack and dryness this moment by creating time for the Lord's Table and go with full understanding and expectation. If you do, then be assured that you will have complete satisfaction in Him!

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for preparing the table for you ahead of your arrival.

* Decree and declare by faith, that you begin to experience the reality of the prepared table henceforth.

 * Come against everything hindering you from benefitting from or being a partaker of the prepared table of the Lord.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Oh God, You brought me this far by the death of Your Son Jesus Christ and You will take me further by His resurrection power, in the wonderful name of Jesus.