Xanthe Hancox

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:5-6

Have you ever noticed how much mention there is in the Bible about food? Right through the Old and New Testaments, people are fasting or feasting and gathering in fields and houses to eat. We celebrate just about every occasion with food, and the people of the Bible were no different. Mealtimes were often special times of coming together and sharing. My favourite times with friends and family are when we’re gathered around the braai or trying to squeeze one more person round the table on a wonky camping chair. I believe this is much on the heart of God, who prepares a table for us (Psalm 23:5).

However, the best enjoyment of food comes when we’re really hungry. If we’ve been snacking on chips and cake in the office all day, we won’t fully appreciate a nourishing meal in the evening. The same is true in our spiritual lives. If we`ve been filling our lives with worldly things, we won`t be hungry for the spiritual food that God has for us. The more we hunger and thirst after God, the more we’ll be satisfied. We’re told in Luke 1:53 that it’s the hungry who are filled with good things, but the rich (those who have filled their lives with other things) who will be sent away empty.

How hungry are you for the rich fare that God has for you today? He delights in preparing a table for us, but we need to come to him, to sit with him and to feed on all that he has for us.

Join me throughout June as we take a closer look at the foods and feasts of the Bible, and nourish our souls on the good things that God has prepared for us at his table.

Prayer: Lord, I’m sorry for feeding on things that don’t nourish my soul. Thank you for preparing a table for me. Please give me more of a hunger for you and for the things that truly satisfy. Amen