6. ENJOY THE FEAST

THIS SERIES: WHEN IT'S GOOD TO CHANGE YOUR MIND: A LOOK AT PSALM 23

I used to love hosting family celebrations, times round the table with good food, laughter and sharing in the presence of God. All our offspring were invited; they were included because they bear our name, our DNA—and because they are loved. It didn’t matter what sort of a week they had had, successful or otherwise; their accomplishments or the amount in their bank accounts did not provide the entrance pass, they came because they already belonged.

Our young grandchildren also came to our feasts, with varying degrees of understanding of the relationships represented, the significance of the gathering, or an appreciation of the good things on the table; but I believe they knew in their child-hearts that they were cocooned in love; that they were beautiful and that they were accepted—not because of their achievements, as wonderful as they were—but because they are part of us.

That tradition of hosting family gatherings has now passed to the younger generation with more space (and energy), but every member, from the oldest to the youngest still participates with joy for the same reasons—because they are loved, because they belong, and because it would hurt us all if anyone was absent.

THE KING'S FEAST

The Lord has also prepared a feast. He has set the table and furnished it with a banquet, and the powers of darkness have to stand and watch us eat it! We are guests at a table specially prepared for us; and the Lord pours down grace upon our heads: where we were separated from God, we have been redeemed; where we were covered with sin we have been cleansed and forgiven; where we were slaves we have been set free; where we were on the outside looking in, we are included; where we were insecure and insignificant, we are chosen; where we were orphans, we have become His children.
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Now I could prepare my family feast, but my family had to show up; they had to sit at the table and eat. If they sat apart and ignored the bounty, all my loving preparation would have been rendered useless. So it is with us; our Lord has paid such an incredible price so we can feast at His table. Let’s laugh in the face of the enemy and enjoy the banquet.

​Let’s declare these truths over ourselves. (To understand more about why it’s important to do this, see the first blog post in this series.)

• I was separated from God, now I am redeemed
• I was covered with sin, now I am cleansed and forgiven
• I was a slave, now I have been set free
• I was once on the outside looking in, now I am included in the party
• I once felt insecure, and insignificant, now I am chosen by God
• I once felt like an orphan, now I am His child and part of His family

​You can find more declarations relating to what Jesus has purchased for us on the Cross in…
 REFLECTIONS ON THE CROSS

Then spend some time with this old song from Chris Tomlin:

THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM

The Lord has prepared a feast for you--in the middle of whatever you are dealing with. Take time to get quiet before Him, lift up your heart to Him, and receive what He is offering.

NEXT WEEK:  7. SMEARED WITH OIL
The Holy Spirit offers to protect me from the attacks of the Evil One...

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[Photo credits: N. York Public Library (Invitation; text mine); Etienne Giradet (story screen) @ Unsplash, with thanks; and my apologies to the owner of the family photo (text mine)--I have mislaid your details, but thank you anyway]