Wednesday, September 21, 2005

A Table of Victory Prepared for You

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
(Psalm 23:5)
This is not a picture of heaven, for there are no enemies there. It is not about the “sweet by and by” but about the “here and now.” It is about heaven on earth. The table comes from heaven and is prepared by the LORD our Shepherd, but it is set before us on earth, in full view of our enemies — and it causes them to tremble.
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalm 23:5-6)

  • This is a table of covenant, for it is the Lord Yahweh, our covenant God who prepares it.
  • This is a table of anointing.
  • This is a table of abundance and prosperity.
  • This is a table of the sure mercies and goodness of God.
  • This is a table of abiding in His presence.
  • This is the Table of the Lord!
Jesus has prepared this table for all who come to Him.
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:19-20)
This table is prepared for us even in the presence of our enemies — or perhaps we should say, especially in the presence of our enemies. It is a powerful weapon of our spiritual warfare:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but might in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
At this table, we see that God’s enemies are ours, but we also see that our enemies are His, for that is part of our covenant provision with Him.
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
When we eat of this covenant table, we are submitting to God and resisting the devil — and he has no choice but to flee. Notice that he flees, not just from before God, but from before us.

As you take of this table, let the thoughts of your heart recall all the provisions of the covenant it represents. For it is at this table where you can deal most effectively with all your enemies:
  • Sin is defeated by the forgiveness of God.
  • Sickness is defeated by the healing of God.
  • Poverty is defeated by the provision and prosperity of God.
  • Brokenness is defeated by the peace, the wholeness of God.
  • Fear is defeated by the faith of God.
All these provisions belong to us in the covenant we have with God through the body of Christ given for us and the blood of Christ shed for us.

The LORD your Shepherd has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemies. Come and dine, and experience there the victory you have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous12:07 AM

    Luke 22:13 - His New Heaven and Earth (Kingdom) hasn't arrived as yet.

    They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
    When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
    After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

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