Banquet

You prepare a banquet for me,
    where all my enemies can see me;
you welcome me as an honored guest
    and fill my cup to the brim. Psalm 23:5

Reading it in this version, it almost sounds cocky of David to say “all my enemies can see me at the banquet God prepared.” Maybe it is just that I’m used to the King James version.

Ultimately this verse is about God. The one that creates a banquet for us as the honored guest He fills our cup to overflowing. Comes from his care and love of his children. The table is prepared for us when we join Him in heaven. His hospitality is second to none.

I think about all the preparation that goes into setting a table and preparing a banquet. When we had our fundraising banquets it was all hands on deck to setting things up, the decorations, the food plus all the staff to serve at the event. I don’t know why, but when I picture a banquet prepared by God, He is the server. He is the chef. He is the decorator. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to show them service. He did some of them ahead to prepare for the meal but when the Bible says “You prepare a banquet before me”, I take it at face value that God is the one who does it.

And because I know that God is not willing that any would perish, I believe that that table is prepared in the presence of my enemies. I believe when I sit down at that table, I am going to be surprised at the number of people who were once my enemies who are seated next to me. Jesus sat at the table with the man who would betray Him, why would it be different for me?

Lord, Thank you for preparing a banquet for me and keeping my cut full. I pray that you make my enemies my friends.