You Prepare a Table Before Me
Psalms 78:9–20
“The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law. They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.He divided the sea and led them through; He made the water stand up like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, He struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can He also give us bread? Can He supply meat for His people?”
The Living Life writer asks a series of questions, how well do you remember God’s faithfulness to you in the past? How does this effect the way you see the situations you are currently facing? What is your most urgent need right now? Do your prayers reflect a heart of complete trust in God’s willingness and ability to provide? “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psa 23:5),” says the psalmist, in the face of overwhelming odds, God is with us, He loves, and He provides, He guides. The LORD rhetorically asked, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? (Matt 7:11), or in context, “which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:11–13).” Hallowed be Thy Name Father, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth and in my life, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and I thank You for Your faithful promise of provision and Your comforting presence in the future, all the days of our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and help us forgive those who have and may have wronged us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen! And as we think about these questions above, let this additional prayer lead our train of thoughts and between crossings remember God’s goodness in the recent years of our lives (and perhaps create a thanksgiving list): “God, Your record of faithfulness is perfect in my life and across human history. Forgive me for my frequent unbelief. May You shepherd me back to the truth when my circumstances and emotions begin to take over. Be glorified by my trust in You. Amen.”
“The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law. They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.He divided the sea and led them through; He made the water stand up like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, He struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can He also give us bread? Can He supply meat for His people?”
The Living Life writer asks a series of questions, how well do you remember God’s faithfulness to you in the past? How does this effect the way you see the situations you are currently facing? What is your most urgent need right now? Do your prayers reflect a heart of complete trust in God’s willingness and ability to provide? “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psa 23:5),” says the psalmist, in the face of overwhelming odds, God is with us, He loves, and He provides, He guides. The LORD rhetorically asked, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? (Matt 7:11), or in context, “which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:11–13).” Hallowed be Thy Name Father, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth and in my life, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and I thank You for Your faithful promise of provision and Your comforting presence in the future, all the days of our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and help us forgive those who have and may have wronged us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen! And as we think about these questions above, let this additional prayer lead our train of thoughts and between crossings remember God’s goodness in the recent years of our lives (and perhaps create a thanksgiving list): “God, Your record of faithfulness is perfect in my life and across human history. Forgive me for my frequent unbelief. May You shepherd me back to the truth when my circumstances and emotions begin to take over. Be glorified by my trust in You. Amen.”
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