Back for more? Today we can add another helping to our plate as we celebrate our Advent theme of “Preparation.”
Who doesn’t like a Christmas feast with all the trimmings? Ham or turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes swimming in gravy, and pies for dessert. And someone pushing it at us, saying, “Have some more!”
We have already seen God’s example of preparing this world for us, and we have learned that our own hearts should respond with humility, gratitude and praise. Today’s thought is a little harder to swallow.
Ps. 23:5 says, “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.” Actually, this entire psalm is about God preparing a path for us. He leads us beside still waters, he restores us, he anoints us. But preparing a feast before our enemies? Does the Lord really prepare hard times for us?
Read the verse again. The Lord knows we will face conflicts and hard times. His contribution is a feast to sustain us in the midst of those difficult circumstances.
Think back to Jesus when he slept on Peter’s boat during the violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Mark’s gospel says Jesus was asleep with his head on a pillow. Cushions were not the norm on fishing boats. They would get soggy, mildewed and stink of dead fish. But God, knowing Jesus was tired after a full day of preaching, provided his Son with a pillow before the storm ever hit.
Are you facing difficult circumstances this holiday season? Look around for the pillow God has prepared for you. And after you respond with gratitude and praise, add rest in his care to the preparations of your own heart.
