The Banquet Table- The Feast Awaits Us

"As you wait attentively in My Presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you. This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding." December 25th- Jesus Calling,  (Devotional) by Sarah Young.

Several years ago, I received this vision while running. In light of the marvelous gift to us of our Lord and Savior Jesus, I thought it appropriate to share with you. As I was running that day the sky seemed to open up and on the canvas of my mind I saw the banquet table spoken of in the 23rd Psalm. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over." -Psalm 23: 5. No verse encapsulates the blessing of our relationship with the Lord more completely!

The table was huge with many chairs on each side. It was abundantly supplied with every kind of sumptuous food imaginable. Fruits and vegetables, meats of all kind were placed upon the table. At each place setting there was a plate and a chalice awaiting it's invited guest.

It was as if I were a spectator looking on with a view of the entire room. I noticed two great doors at the end of the rectangular banquet hall. The doors were giant extending from floor to ceiling. So heavy they appeared that no man could open them. The doors would open periodically and I sensed that people were entering however I could not see them. It was then that I noticed the doors were being opened by two angels. One positioned at each door to grant entrance to those coming into the room.

As I looked to the floor, to my surprise, I saw the people who had entered the room lying on the floor. Seemingly unaware of the great feast prepared for them. They entered the great banquet hall only to choose the floor.  Not only were they on the floor but they had brought with them what appeared to be bags of food. Bags filled with rotten apples and bananas, rancid meats, decaying vegetables. Why had these people chosen to enter in and bring with them their own rotten food?

As I looked at the table again, I noticed the Lord sitting at the end of the table in the place of the host. His eyes had tears in them as He viewed His people in the great hall choosing to sit on the floor when the feast had been prepared for them at the table. Then slowly I began to see people rising from the floor and taking their place at the table. Choosing to leave behind what they had brought with them and coming to the table to partake of the feast prepared just for them. This was God's best!

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, we also celebrate what His coming represents to us. He is the Shepherd spoken of in the 23rd Psalm. He is the One who prepares the table before us in the presence of our enemies. The One who anoints our head with oil. The oil that signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The oil which refreshes and invigorates us to engage more freely in His service.

This year choose to joyfully receive what the Lord has prepared. He has prepared a feast of prosperity, provision and protection. The feast awaits!