David Bahn – Reflections

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

I “usta not like” Psalm 23. The whole rod and staff idea didn’t particularly thrill me. The still waters and green pastures did not sound all that great. Besides all that, I learned the Psalm in the King James Version: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (23:1). “Wait a minute!” I’d think, “I do want the Lord.” I just didn’t understand. But now I feel differently. I especially like the verse that describes God’s preparation of a table for me, where he pours out his anointing blessing in abundance.

You might not associate this image with the Lord’s table (I’ll admit, it’s a stretch!). But when I saw this table in the Manchaca Fire Station Restaurant, I was drawn to it. The chairs there were different from those in the rest of the restaurant. There was a lazy susan in the center. This table was, no doubt, a place where a group of regulars would gather for morning coffee or an afternoon beer. There were other “Regulars’ Tables” in that place. One for dominoes, one for cards, a couple of long tables  for larger groups. There was something about the whole place that said, “a lot of regulars come here.” And that’s where the connection comes – both with Psalm 23:5 as well as the Lord’s Table. Read on…

I didn’t understand the wording of the KJV of Psalm 23:1, “I shall not want.” I thought it meant that I didn’t want God; rather than that God would supply all my needs. But “regulars” I understand. Mr. Daley was a “regular.” He liked room #5. There were several others who would stay at our motel (a mom and pop place on Highway 61 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri). They each had their favorite rooms. They each had their regular schedule. We would be sure to have their rooms ready when they came. They were our bread and butter, almost literally.

And “table” I understand as well. It is a place of eating, conversation, problem-solving. One time my mom and dad sat down at our kitchen table in the living quarters of the “Sands Motel” and figured out how to save $ .05 or more per day. Five cents! Today we toss that into a jar until there’s enough to do something with. But then, five cents a day for a month was $1.50; and back then that could buy a meal’s worth of groceries for our family – maybe even more!

Regular ref errs to two important characteristics of God’s people. We’re not all that different from the rest of the world; we don’t walk on water; we don’t glow with artificial sweetness; we’re just regulars. And God invites us regularly to come to His table of blessing and spiritual nourishment in the Lord’s Supper.

He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He will make certain that those who wish us harm will know that we are His regular guests. He hosts us at His table of blessing, vindication, and provision. The next time you come to the Lord’s Table think of the great privilege you have of dining at a table prepared for you by God Himself. He delights that you are his regular guest.