When our entire family gathers in our home, I love to prepare everyone’s favorite dishes, even though I sometimes get anxious about doing a good job. Anxiety loses its grip when I pray. As the younger grandchildren arrive and stand on tiptoe to see what’s on the table, I take a deep breath and smile.
In a familiar psalm, after describing God as the good Shepherd, David wrote about His heavenly Father’s table:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies …
Psalm 23:5 ESV
I often read this verse and picture myself standing on tiptoe at the edge of God’s table wondering what He has placed there for me. One thing I know: I’ll find everything I need because He promises to provide (Philippians 4:19).
When anxiety taps on the window of our minds–as in my case sometimes–we can choose to focus on God’s presence and His table of provision, just as my littles do when they arrive at our house. The Lord serves generous portions of His peace to enable us to stand against the enemy of anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7).
I can personalize the verse like the psalmist did because as a believer, I too, am a child of God, a member of His flock. God prepares a table before me—Jeannie.
When I insert my name into the verse, my spiritual ears perk up, and I consider the responsibilities and challenges of my day. Sometimes I know what I require, yet there are needs I don’t foresee. God always knows. At the right time, He sets the table with every necessary provision.
Maybe today, I’ll need an extra serving of patience. It’s there.
If discouragement threatens to become the centerpiece of my day, I’ll find courage and hope at God’s buffet of blessings.
Perhaps beside my plate He placed an opportunity to encourage someone.
Without a doubt, God serves generous portions of peace to help me fight the enemy of anxiety.
Is something making you uneasy today? What’s tempting you to worry?
Our world teems with unsettling news reports which sometimes join forces with personal circumstances to war against our peace. Are you fretting over a difficult relationship or a recent medical diagnosis? Do financial concerns or important decisions keep you awake at night? Is fear making you edgy?
Try these suggestions when you feel anxious.
- Insert your name into Psalm 23:5 and remember your heavenly Father planned today’s menu to meet your needs so that you can honor and serve Him and others. “You prepare a table before me, (insert your name), in the presence of my enemies …”
- Thank God for your blessings which enable you to stand against anxiety and other enemies. Record them in a journal for one week.
- List the needs you have and write an applicable verse of Scripture beside each one. Turn the verses into prayer requests as you converse with God.
What’s on the table for you today, dear reader friend?
Do you find it comforting to think about God preparing a daily table before you? I look forward to your comments.
Amen Ms. Jeannie. Great post ma’am. In this world, it seems there’s an endless supply of things that make us anxious, fearful, and uneasy. I find the best way to counteract that is to spend more time in God’s presence than the world’s. As Dr. R.C. Sproul puts it, we must choose each day to live our lives before the eyes of God (Coram Deo). God’s blessings ma’am; and thank you for your encouraging word.
J. D., thank you for adding Scripture as the “best way to counteract” the world’s temptation to become anxious. I agree. I appreciate the R.C. Sproul quote as well. I appreciate your comments which keep us thinking.
I certainly need the extra dose of patience, Jeannie! I identify with your joy when cooking for your family, I feel the same (along with some anxiety about getting it “just right”). I think perhaps, what’s on the table for me is to slow down and listen–to meditate on God’ Word and feed my soul at His table. Thank you for the blessing today.
I need the same serving of meditating on God’s Word, Katherine. I’m glad you mentioned that. It does feed our souls and remind us of God’s ways as opposed to our own. Thanks, sweet friend for faithfully reading.
So good Jeannie! Love the idea of standing on tip-toe at the edge of God’s table. Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Sylvia. Remembering that table and God’s faithfulness often helps me steer clear of anxiety. I appreciate your taking the time to comment.
A great post to remind us of the gifts offers us and provides for us when we come to His table. I loved the imagery here. It will graphically put those words in my mind because setting a table for loved ones makes me anxious also.
Janis, I’m happy to have you as a reader and appreciate you stopping by to comment. Remembering God’s presence and His table of provision helps me fight anxiety.
Philippians 4:6-7 are some of my favorite verses in the Bible because I need to rely on them so much. Your insights about anxiety are well founded and so applicable to our daily lives. God’s peace is every present if we will just partake from the table.
Great post Jeannie. Just what I needed. Thanks for sharing.
Barbara, those verses help me, too. You included a good reminder—that God’s peace is always available to us. Thank you!
Pam, thank you for letting me know. I really appreciate that encouraging word. We all need reminders, don’t we? I surely do.
Thank you for the visual, Jeannie, of an abundant table spread with everything I need for everything I face. Comforting and true.
Thank you for commenting, Lori. The visual of God’s table is comforting for me, also.
Beautiful words of comfort.
Wanda, it’s great to hear from you and read your encouraging comment. I’m glad the post was a blessing to you.