Prepared Table

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  (Psalms 23:5a KJV)

God made preparations for that last meal Jesus shared with the disciples:

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. (Mark 14:12-15 KJV)

The difference between then and now is that Jesus knew things that we do not look to find.  He knew that His Father would take care of Him. Jesus had spent time in prayer throughout His ministry, even through entire nights:

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 KJV)

How much time do we spend in prayer with our Lord?  We have chosen to follow and serve Christ. Dependence on our Lord should come naturally as we have been told He will provide our needs:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (2 Corinthians 9:8-10 KJV)

That should never be taken to mean that God will provide every bit of food on our table. Paul tells us more is expected from Christians:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV)

Will we be as the Israelites in the dessert and complain about the manna? Or will we look past inconveniences and difficulties, understanding that an even greater land is promised:

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:23 KJV)

We need to seriously consider how grounded and settled in our faith. Are we not to be moved away from our hope? Do we know, love and share the gospel? Or, are we simply sitting and waiting for a prepared table?