It’s not What’s on the Table, but Who’s at the Table
Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...”
This Psalm of David is the recognition of God’s presence. Envision this reality today.
You’re strolling joyfully along the street when you come upon a café and notice a man sitting, dressed in white. The table covered in fine white linen, a fresh assortment of vegetables, fruit, goat cheese and crackers, and a pitcher of sparkling water. There are two place settings of white china, polished cutlery, and water goblets. He invites you to the table so you can dine with Him. Do you stop and join Him, or do you pleasantly say thank you, as you grab a few morsels. Then proceed to grab your iPhone, take pictures with Him to post on social media where you can brag you sat at the table with a man in white. However, the truth is missed, as the man in white, is the Son of God, inviting you to join Him so He can serve you.
This story is from author, Pastor Louis Gigleo, where he has a five-week video series on Psalm 23, based on his book, Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind.
As you read this verse, you can’t help but wonder why God prepared a table surrounded by your enemies. At first read, it doesn’t provide a sense of comfort knowing enemies are within close proximity. However, it’s a reminder the enemy is always around, and invites himself to the table, although uninvited. John 10:10 ‘the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...” Too many avoid the truth of good and evil, as you think it doesn’t apply to you.
So, when you come upon the table with its delightful and inviting setup, you walk by, as you’re too busy, and can’t be bothered with distractions, even if the sight makes your stomach growl with the anticipated sensation of taste and good company.
Not only did Jesus willingly accept His fate as a sacrificial lamb, He awaits you’re company at the table. He wants to rescue and protect you from the wolves that want to devour you. Remember, the enemy never rests. He attacks every second, 24/7, as He wants you to remain blind from the truth. He knows exactly the right words to place in your mind and words of others to keep you exactly where he wants you to be, resistant to Jesus’s open invitation to join Him.
Thoughts like, “I don’t want to be a Jesus lover”, or “those people are hypocrites,” or “where was God when I needed Him most”. The list is full of excuses to turn away the invitation, because after all, you’re in control of your life. However, you forget who gave you life, and God’s mercy you’re still here.
God, in His despair, caused the rain to fall for 40 days and nights so He could start over, only to be faced with more heartbreak. He sent angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their evil nature. He sent His one and only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice so you can be saved from sin.
By accepting the invitation and allowing Jesus to be your Shepherd, you’re protected from the enemy, as the Shepherd always protects His sheep. He doesn’t want you to carry burdens alone, He wants to walk beside you, provide you with comfort to overcome the distractions, busyness, and discouragements of life.
He wants you to keep your eyes locked on Him, and the truth in the word. To lean on Him.
By reading scripture, you learn to overcome obstacles, grow your faith, and develop a close relationship with God and His Son. It’s the building of this relationship that provides you with the armor to protect yourself against the enemy.
Ephesians 6:11-12
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
It’s a comfort to be protected by the word, knowing God watches over you, waiting for you to accept the invitation to dine with His Son. When Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the dessert, He was confronted by Satan and in rebuttal, He used scripture. The words are God’s way to empower you against the enemy.
Louis Giglio addresses in his video series, and book, four ways you invite the enemy to the table.
1. Thinking it’d be better to sit at another table.
If you sat at another table, then you remain in control of your life. You can continue to partake in the desires of life, drinking with friends, one-night stands, plotting to get what you feel you deserve—success, wealth, recognition, and no accountability for your actions.
The father of lies wants you to believe you have freedom to behave without consequences. However, one day you won’t be here, and you’ll have to answer for your actions. There is no reincarnation for second chances. You have one life, and you choose how to live it.
2. Hearing or thinking you’re not going to make it.
If you plague yourself with negative thoughts, you write the story believing nothing will change. God’s goal is to encourage you to utilize the skills He gave you to the best of your ability. You are special in His eyes, as He created you in His image, to be the creation He intended. You are so much more than your thoughts.
3. Thinking you’re not good enough.
Thoughts like...I’m not smart enough. I don’t have the experience. I don’t have a future. I’m ugly. I’m fat. These derogatory thoughts are against God’s creation, you. Remember, Jesus is the Shepherd and He lays down His life for His sheep. He wants you to see yourself as He sees you. He died for you because in His heart, you were worth it.
4. Everybody is against you.
This statement allows the enemy to deceive you.
I’ve battled with this belief with family members and friends where I believe they’re against me for some reason. These thoughts can become a rampant merry-go-round, that lead to you feeling guilty without confronting your thoughts with the person. For me, I decided to proceed with love, and ignore the trap of false beliefs that hurt and build resentment.
In summary, the enemy prowls on your insecurities. He’ll place thoughts in your head, create resistance in your heart, entice you with pleasure, and make you believe you’re in charge of your life, as he wants your soul.
Will you let him in, or kick his chair away from the table, and accept the invitation from your King, who only wants to love you. It’s a choice of saying yes or no.
For more information, check out Louis Giglio’s book and DVD’s.
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination.
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I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal, but I did it!
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or nature available for wall décor.
