Shepherds take their sheep to the high plateaus for the summer where the pastures are lush. These areas are called mesas (tables). It is a great place of rest for the sheep, high above the valleys they trod to arrive. Yet, before they go on this journey, the shepherd goes before to prepare the table. Wild poisonous flowers must be carefully found and plucked out before the sheep can be taken there. If not, the young lambs may succumb to the poison as they eagerly seek the beautiful flowers just for a taste. Furthermore, the springs of water must be freed from the thorny hedges that have overgrown them. Enemies are rampant in the highest regions, cougars, coyotes, venomous snakes and the like. The Shepherd prepares the table in such a manner to keep his sheep safe, though enemies surround.
The danger grows when the sheep rejoicing in the high country forget to remain close to the shepherd. So much the case, when we reach those wonderful plateaus. How often do we, during the restful plateaus of our Christian walk, neglect to read our Bible or pray as we should? The danger is lurking all around us. We, like the sheep, need to remain near our Good Shepherd. Rest assured, our Good Shepherd has gone before us and remains with us through the danger. He has a plan to protect us even when we are surrounded by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Satan roars forth his lies sending terror into the hearts of God’s children. Yet, God’s words, His promises and the Holy Spirit are there to remind them of His presence and their safety.
THE TABLE GOD PREPARES FOR HIS SHEEP
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemy” (Psalm 23:5).
It is a lush table. A place for the weary sheep, having emerged from the darkest valley to rest for a while and enjoy the lush pastures. It is there we must lean in and rest upon God’s bosom and not become complacent. He has prepared these moments to remind us of His kindness, His goodness, and His abundance in our lives. The enemy hates when we are in the plateaus. He circles and circles, watching and waiting for an opportune moment when we take our eyes off Jesus. Ever lurking; but we need not fear. Christ, our good shepherd has gone before us.
When we take communion, it is symbolic of the table prepared for us by our Savior, Shepherd, and King. Yet, do we fully consider all the sacrifice He made to prepare this table for us?
As Phillip Keller so Beautifully Wrote:
When I come to the Lord’s Table and partake of the communion service which is a feast of thanksgiving for His love and care, do I fully appreciate what it has cost Him to prepare this table for me?
Here we commemorate the greatest and deepest demonstration of true love the world has ever known. For God looked down upon sorrowing, struggling, sinning humanity was moved with compassion for the contrary, sheep-like creatures He had made. In spite of the tremendous cost it would entail to Himself to deliver them from their dilemma He chose deliberately to descend and live amongst them that He might deliver them.
This meant laying aside His splendor, His position, His prerogatives as the perfect and faultless One. He knew He would be exposed to terrible privation, to ridicule, to false accusations, to rumor, gossip and malicious charges that branded Him as a glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners and even an imposter. It entailed losing His reputation. It would involve physical suffering, mental anguish and spiritual agony.
In short, His coming to earth as the Christ, as Jesus of Nazareth, was a straightforward case of utter self-sacrifice that culminated in the cross of Calvary. The laid-down life, the poured-out blood were the supreme symbols of total selflessness. (Perfect) love. This was God. (Furthermore) this was divinity in action delivering men from their own utter selfishness, their own stupidity, their own suicidal instincts as lost sheep unable to help themselves.[1]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts comment here
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written: please click on this link Book Resources.
You can find all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there
Or for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Previous Posts from series on Psalm 23
Do You Know the Comfort of the Shepherd’s Staff?
What is the Rod of God that Comforts Me?
Fearless in the Darkest Valleys
How to Follow the Shepherd as He Leads
Have Your Soul Restored by God
How to Surrender as He Leadeth Beside Still Waters
When God Makes His Sheep to Lie Down. Why?
I Shall Not Want. What Can It Mean?
Do You Know and Trust the Good Shepherd?
Previous Poem:
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
[1] Phillip Keller, A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23, in The Inspirational Writings of Phillip Keller, (New York, NY: Inspirational Press, 1993), 93-94
Photo by Stephan Wieser on Unsplash