I am sending prayers and love your way today with a word of encouragement for you to keep looking up, God is looking down. Could it get any better than this? Not when you realize that this is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Think about it, that a table is especially prepared by the Lord Himself, just for you. Our faith and victory revolve around this table. I mentioned Sunday that for those living life on the edge of time it would be good to take time to read Psalms 22, 23, 24. Psalms 22 speaks of Christ death, Psalms 23 speaks of Christ mission now, and Psalms 24 zeroes in on the fulfillment we are all waiting on.
A PSALM OF DAVID
24 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it,
the world, and those who dwell in it.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the streams and the rivers.
3 Who may ascend onto the [mountain of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to what is false,
Nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation (description) of those who diligently seek Him and require Him as their greatest need,
Who seek Your face, even [as did] Jacob. Selah.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is [He then] this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory [who rules over all creation with His heavenly armies].
Looking back to Psalm 23, it is more than just a Shepherds Psalm, it is a Psalm of victorious declaration of the Lord’s provision and protection. Solomon wrote, “He brought me to His banqueting table and His banner over me is Love.” In the scheme of today’s negativity and the continuing warnings of impending wars and rumors of wars, I need something to keep me looking up. I am standing on the promises of God because I know where my help comes from.
In light of all the chaos, the images of death and destruction that we are subjected to, what am I to do? The answer is in the text, “The Lord prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.”
What would my table talk be as I find myself in the presence of my enemies? It would be, “O death, where is thy sting? Oh, grave where is thy victory?”
Or maybe we could use what Paul was anointed to say, “For this corruption must put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality.” So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.” Who could ever make a claim like this if they had not defeated death themselves and become victorious over our last and final enemy?
Just think the enemy cannot harm you at this table. “It is here that, “No weapon formed against you can prosper.” He is our hiding place and our shield and buckler to protect us. Look at this word, thou “PREPAREST.” It is continual, His BLOOD speaks in our behalf. I love His instruction, “TAKE, EAT, THIS IS MY BODY BROKEN FOR YOU.” It is here that the adversary is paralyzed and can no longer have strength over you. “THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE YOU IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ENEMY.”
I BELIEVE IN YOU,
PASTOR CLEDDIE KEITH