Quickly we are approaching the end of the year. As I write this we only have 32 days until 2017 where has the time gone? Reflecting back on the past year I find myself wondering how often has life seemed so difficult? How often has it seemed easy? Maybe not so strangely I feel the majority of the time life seemed like a struggle more often than anything else. Is that true for you as well? How many time this year have you found yourself breezing through a day? How about those times when you had no idea why it seemed so hard?

For each of those good days it seems we have 3 not so good days. I do not know circumstances you faced this year I also do not know what circumstances may come for you in the following year. However I am pretty sure that whenever you are seated at a banquet table your worries seem to melt away. We just celebrated Thanksgiving I wonder how you felt surrounded by family and good food? I am willing to bet that for a few moments those circumstances that have been bothering your, giving you ulcers, or keeping you up at night, disappeared. Even if you did not celebrate Thanksgiving with family or if you had to work instead you still have had a moment in your life were a banquet was involved. Maybe it was at a wedding or a birthday party or a first communion. Whatever the reason the people around you and the food on the table somehow are able to cloud over the worries of everyday life.

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

At these feasts we find that the people we are surrounded by are often not in a place to be able to help with whatever we are going through. But David reminds us that there is a banquet we are invited to where the host is infinitely capable of providing what we need. He never promises to take us OUT of the situation we are facing but He does promise that He will always be with us. Whatever is bothering you remember the One who breaths stars into existence who knew you and your situation LONG before your were formed in your mother’s womb He knew this day would come.  What He does for us is in the middle of everything He invites us to sit down and enjoy what He has prepared for us. He invites us to taste His righteousness and savor His provision. We are invited to a calmness only He can provide.

Yes while at this table with Him we will have our enemies surrounding us. David never said the One who prepares the table does so behind security but right in the middle of our trials, enemies, worry, strife, and sleepless nights. He offers the calmness and worry free atmosphere a banquet can provide. But unlike any other banquet you’ve ever been to He is one that can handle your grief, insecurity, anxiety, and pain. We just have to be willing enough to talk to Him and let Him know what we are facing and name what is worrying us. “see that lion of a cancer diagnosis? Lord I am really having a hard time coming to grips with that. I do not know what to do or where to turn right now. I am worried about my family and how they will go on without me and what the end will look like”. Sound familiar? How about something less life changing? maybe your worried about family, grades, future plans, a job, buying a new house, health issues, constant pain, and you have tried everything around you. Sadly that “everything around you” is distracting you from the table Jesus has provided you. If you’re not focused on His table the only other place to look is the enemy. Peter gives us description of this enemy He says

1 peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Surrounding your table is a lion looking to devour you. He is trying to make other things look more appealing than what Jesus has prepared. He is tempting you down from your seat with Him so He can destroy your life. Listen to what Jesus says about the enemy and Himself.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am NOT saying life will be easy when we turn our eyes toward Jesus’ banquet but what He does give us is in the midst of these life changing events or hardships He WILL provide a peace that surpasses all understanding. This way others can look at your life, see what you are going through, and ask “how can you remain so calm in such a horrific situation”?

Pihl 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Mt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

One final thought. You are the one in charge of who you are going to allow at the table. Satan may prowl and hunt and scheme and lie and do whatever he can to invite himself to the table or to lure you off of it but it will always be you who invited him to your party. There might be some things you need to cut out of your life to realize the peace that only comes from enjoying a Jesus prepared feast but Jesus will not intervene until He is asked. You have to be the one to request a guest to be removed from your place of honor.