I sat at the King’s table today. Actually, there was no table in the room. Our chairs formed a circle around the room where we had come together for study and fellowship. During this time, we took communion together, fulfilling the scripture which says –

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Proclaiming both Jesus’s death and His return? This might not make sense, given that if someone is dead, why would you be expecting their return. BUT – these disciples who were at the table of the Last Supper with Jesus, (which also turned out to be the first communion observance) witnessed not only Jesus’s death, but they also witnessed His resurrection and His subsequent ascension into heaven, with the promise that He would one day return. Luke gives an account of this in Acts, saying –

“After He (Jesus) said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.’ ” (Acts 1:9-11)

When I come to the Lord’s table for communion, I am celebrating and commemorating Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension and promised return, all simultaneously. It is definitely a table full of hope, hope because Jesus is coming back! Jesus told His disciples –

“if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)

A seat at the King’s table – this is what is offered to me and to you – now and in eternity.

“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9)

That’s us! Something to look forward to, but in the meantime, God’s provision is never lacking. A seat at my Heavenly Father’s table is always available to me and to you, too, dear readers, even in our darkest, most difficult, dangerous times. King David knew this to be true personally. He wrote about his experience of God’s presence, protection and provision, made manifest through a seat at God’s table – King David wrote in Psalm 23 –

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:4-5)

My Heavenly Father is present with me in each and every valley I travel through on this earthly journey. And just like He did for David, God prepares a table just for me, right where I am, when I am tired, discouraged, fearful, anxious, defeated, doubtful – surrounded by my enemies – both physical and spiritual – feeling unable to take even one more step of faith – it is then God bids me “take a seat at His table” where “my cup overflows” – even while I am still in the valley, still surrounded by my enemies.

At God’s table, in His presence, I experience His abundant provision for me and His protection surrounding me, even when I am in this most dangerous of places – “the valley of the shadow of death.” You know what I find most comforting and encouraging about this truth from God’s word? It doesn’t say “when I have fought my way through the valley on my own, when I have scaled the mountain and arrived at the top – then He will prepare a feast for me as a reward.”

No. Like God did for David, my Heavenly Father prepares a table of provision for me at my moment of greatest need, when I am too weary to continue, when the circumstances in my valley have filled me with fear, with doubt, with despair – it is then God prepares my place and bids me sit at His table, and my cup overflows right there in the valley while my enemies look on. (maybe with wonderment, surprise, even envy?)

At God’s table I experience renewal and restoration, just like David experienced when he said this –

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-2)

David understood the honor, the provision, the protection, the restoration that comes from having a seat at the King’s table. When he was king, this conversation took place –

“The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’ . . . When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. . . . ‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’ . . . So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. . . . And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.” (2 Samuel 9:3-13)

What a beautiful picture of the protection and the provision that a seat at a king’s table provides for the one who is fortunate enough to receive an invitation to dine at the table of the king. Like Mephibosheth, you and I are extended such an invitation. There is a seat at the King’s table prepared specifically for me and one specifically for you, dear reader. And like Mephibosheth, our invitation is permanent, we can always eat at the King’s table “like one of the King’s sons (or daughters) ” because that is what we are.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

When I am walking through the valley, even the valley of the shadow of death, I will remember that I have a seat at the King’s table. He has already prepared it for me and His table is present even in the valley, right here, right now, not later, not someday – my Heavenly Father’s table is fully prepared before me today. Why would I not take my seat at the King’s table? There I always experience rest, renewal, restoration and the truth of these words –

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

grateful to have a seat at the King’s table today and every day –

sincerely, Grace Day