The Table of the Lord – Part Two

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song 4:2 NKJV

Though no one seems to know who wrote the chorus, “His banner over me is love!”, based on this verse, it became one of our favorites worship songs back in the early 1980’s. As a young person back then, I didn’t understand what the words meant, nor did I even realize it was from the Bible, but it was lots of fun to sing! On this second day of looking at the Lord’s Table this song reminds me that, God not only prepares a table for us, but He also has spread a banner over that table. His banner shields us spiritually, in the same way that shelters which people set up on the beach in the Summer protect them from the sun. This banner also designates us as His people, like a team flag tells you which university your players represent. Anyone seeing us under its shadow, will know that we belong to God. Then last, but certainly not least, God’s banner of love, like a privacy lattice we put on our back porch, gives us an intimate place where we can share a meal together. So, when God invites us to His banqueting table, remember that He doesn’t just shout “Come and get it!” Instead, He sets up His banner of love over His table, and then gently and lovingly beckons us to come and sit with Him, hear His voice and delight in His presence. If your Christian life seems to resemble more of an assembly line of activities, demands and expectations, maybe it is time to step back, take a deep breath and begin singing again. “He brought me to His banqueting table. His banner over me is love!” P. S. I hope you will enjoy listening to the Cedarmont Kids show us how it is supposed to be sung!

What a Day!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 NLT

Most Christians and even many non-believers are familiar with and take some comfort with this verse. But knowing and truly standing on this precious promise in the face of difficulty is sometimes a different thing. The reality that one day there will be no more sickness no pain, no sorrow or tears can feel far away. But on that morning when we walk that distant shore with Jesus, it will be worth it all! I have discovered that our residents at the nursing home understand this better than most. One dear lady wiped the tears from her eyes after we sang it yesterday. Close your eyes and try to imagine that you can hear her voice in the background and allow the Lord to touch your own heart today!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24 KJV

The words to this hymn were the last words of Sadhu Singh as he and his family were martyred for Christ in India in the 1800’s. Though not all of us will die a martyr’s death, we must all follow Jesus, wherever he leads us to go. When He made this call to his disciples, they didn’t know all the answers, or what the future would hold. If that is where you are, do not give up or turn back. Christ never asked us to understand, to always keep a smile or to succeed at everything we do. He asks us to follow so that we may be with Him when He leads us all the way home!