There is Always Room

One day while praying and talking to the Lord, I had a picture in my mind of a long wooden table with wooden benches around it.  The table was set with pretty dishes.  Colorful flowers were arranged all the way down the middle of the table.  Every spot on the table was overflowing with bowls, platters, and baskets of food.  It all seemed to be outdoors in a small meadow set among beautiful trees. 

The table was full - people sitting tightly side by side on the benches.  They were chatting and laughing and getting ready to say grace before eating the bountiful meal spread before them. Then out of the trees ran another person apologizing for being late.  There didn't seem to be room for one more, but the man at the head of the table said "make room."  We always have room for one more.  And unbelievably, there was room.  The person squeezed in.

As the people prayed for the meal, the man at the head spoke again.  He said it's time to get back to the table.  We may be surrounded by enemies, but they are powerless.  Our strength is in being at the table together.  Whether we are alone or with family.  If we are strong, healthy, and happy - or if we are weak, sick, and sad - being at the table meets our needs and allows us to soak in the goodness and presence of the Lord.  There is always a place for us at the table, and there is "food" to help us in whatever we are facing.

In this mental picture, I sensed a fresh invitation to sit at the table!  There was room for me, and there was food to nourish me.  I have been choosing daily to sit at that table!  In Luke 14 Jesus shares the parable of the man who gave a lavish banquet, but everyone had an excuse for not attending.  I don't want to be like them.  I want to put everything else aside and sit at that table! 

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."  Psalm 23:5

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love."  Song of Solomon 2:4

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."  Psalm 34:8

The menu on the table the Lord has invited us to is love, grace, healing, peace, provision, comfort, and strength.  It's a rich meal filled with His blessing.  For whatever loss or grief we are feeling, He has healing oil to share with us.  He knows what nourishment we need, and He has prepared a banqueting table for us.  He invites us to come and dine with Him.  It's time to take our place at the table for whatever need we have. There's room for all of us.  And our faithful God has just the right food for us.