Banquet With The King

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Don’t Leave Me in the Dark

Hello darkness. Are you my friend?

O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left. They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care. You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths. Your anger weighs me down; with wave after wave, you have engulfed me. You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape. My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O LORD; I lift my hands to you for mercy. Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness? O LORD, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day. O LORD, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me. They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely. You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend. Psalm 88:1-18

Meditate. Read the scripture passage again. How do you feel about darkness?

Hello darkness, my old friend/I’ve come to talk with you again…. Lyrics from the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfield’s popular 1964 song. Darkness.

The Psalmist is feeling pretty low—near death. Discouraged. Dejected. Dark. Have you ever felt that low? He cries out to the Lord for help and asks if those in the grave, the dead, or those in hell, in the darkness, praise the Lord? There is no answer here from the Psalmist nor from God, but when life ends in our mortal bodies, there is no further communication. No choices to be made. The Psalmist is in the dark. We would be in the same darkness, except that we have the promise from Light of the World to guide, protect, and save us.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

No walking in darkness for those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. To claim Jesus as your Savior, you merely need to acknowledge that, like everyone, you are a sinner, but you can repent, believe, and walk in the light. Darkness no longer has to be your friend—now, your friend, the light of the world will lead you—and me. The choice is yours. Choose darkness or light.

Prayer – Lord, I don’t want to make You mad…to make You angry with me. May my actions be pleasing to You. Open my eyes to see and understand You—don’t leave me in the dark.

Verse of Salvation ~ [Does salvation (justice) elude you?] So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. Even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though it were dark. Among the living, we are like the dead. We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it never comes. We look for rescue, but it is far away from us. For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Isaiah 59:9-13

Recycled from November 3, 2022, Banquet With The King, blog

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, April 3, 2026

What is Good about Good Friday?

Sculpture of Jesus' journey to the Cross
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Jerusalem, Israel

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. ... Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!" ... Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. ... My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. O LORD, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! ... Praise the LORD, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. ... The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations. ... His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. Psalm 22:1-3, 7-8, 11, 14-19, 23-25, 27-28, 31

Meditate on the purity of God.

Jesus called out to our Heavenly Father while He was on the cross, as recorded in the New Testament book of Matthew.

At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Matthew 27:46

Why? Why would God Almighty abandon or forsake His own Son? The best answer I’ve heard is that God didn’t give up on Jesus; He just turned His back on the sin. The horrific sin of man. God is pure—and it requires purity to be in His presence. We have the promise of Jesus, in Deuteronomy and repeated in Hebrews, that He will never leave us or forsake us. He won’t abandon us. What an assurance.

Consider how Jesus suffered even before He was nailed to the cross. He was beaten, spit upon, and humiliated. That continued on the cross. Read the description in Psalm 22 and compare it with scripture describing His crucifixion in Matthew 27:27-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-49; and John 19:17-37. Prophecy fulfilled. Different translations finish off Psalm 22 with various phrases, but look at what is written there…that everyone will hear about what He has done. And in His dying words, Jesus said,

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

He completed what He came to earth to accomplish.

At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'" Luke 7:21-23

Jesus came to take away the sins of the world—and give everlasting life to those who believe in Him. He fulfilled that on the cross. Is that what makes Good Friday, Good? Have you heard what He has done? Do you believe?

Prayer – Lord - Lord Jesus, You are amazing, awesome, and humbly obedient. Thank You. I bow before You now and always, for You are my God…my Messiah. Savior of the world. King of kings. Lord of Lords. You are my hope.

Verse of Salvation ~ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This day commemorates the day that Christ was crucified. Jesus did not eat on that day. I will probably eat very lightly today. No feasting at the King’s Table…or any other table today. Reverently minimize your food intake, or fast today, in honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Portions reused from March 5, 2025, Banquet With The King blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Where Will You Be at the Resurrection?

Jesus will come on the clouds.

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:25-29 ESV

Meditate on Jesus’ words.

Jesus always tells the truth—after all He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life (John 14:6). There are at least 25 times that this phrase truly, truly or verily, verily, is used in the Gospel of John alone. It is translated as “amen” from Greek and emphasizes the truth of His statement. His promise here is exciting—we will rise from the dead, just like He did. Those who hear His voice—and believe in Him as the Son of God are the ones who will be resurrected to life. Are you listening for Jesus? Are you listening to Jesus’ words as you read them? What difference do they make in your life?

God the Father has life. He is life. He gave this life to His Son, Jesus. In addition, the Father gave Jesus the authority and power of judgment. What difference does that make to us, you might ask? God is honoring the Son, by giving Him such power. Everyone who has died will hear Jesus’ voice and will rise from the dead. The good to eternal life…the evil to judgment. Jesus ultimately decides who will be with Him forever. The rebels—those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, as the Son of God, will be destined to live apart from Him forever. To me, that would be a sad and harsh life—loveless. Choose for yourself today how you would like to spend eternity. With Jesus—the author of life and love. Without Jesus—who knows if it will be as hot as hell or as cold as the outer darkness? It will not be joyful. The choice is up to each person. Choose life with Jesus? Choose your own life for now, and life without Jesus for eternity? Is that an easy choice? It depends on the person and their personal attitude. Where will you be at the resurrection?

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage? Jesus has the ultimate power of judgment over each person that is given to Him by God the Father. Jesus simply wants to please the Father.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I am in awe of You and I humbly ask that You would see my loyalty to You in my heart. I want to live forever in Your presence and serve You for eternity.

Verse of Salvation ~ The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV

How to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior:

Acknowledge that you are a sinner – we all are.

Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.
- Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.

- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as a payment for your sins.

- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

- Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Confess and choose to allow God to be in charge of your life.

- Matthew 16:24 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.

- Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

- Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Blessings on you as you choose daily to follow Jesus.

If you just made this decision for the first time, please leave a comment or question below.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April Fool’s

- The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. Psalm 14:1

- The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15

- Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. Proverbs 13:16

- One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16

- A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Proverbs 18:2

- But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

Meditate on wisdom and foolishness.

Is this little alligator foolish?

I couldn’t let today go by without commenting on fools. There are more than 70 verses about fools in the English Standard Version of the Bible. That is a lot about fools and foolishness. The verses above are just a few of the ones that jumped out to me. What is a fool? My German grandmother would say it is a Dummkopf. That is a person who lacks good judgment.

April Fool's Dayis a day that people, especially children in school, have traditionally played pranks on each other. It’s the one day of the year that people can do silly stuff and get away with it. Or can they? No one wants to look foolish—and it is often the prankster who ends up being the fool. The joke is on them!

Jesus spoke about fools in His Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7. This verse above, Matthew 5:22, emphasizes the danger of calling someone foolish. Going to hell? That’s pretty serious. There is a better way to deal with anger associated with foolishness. Jesus suggests reconciliation.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Reconciliation is the key to a good relationship. No blaming others or putting them down. No dirty rotten pranks. No anger. Just humble conversation and acceptance of the other person. Reconciliation with God is a good thing, too. It sets us right with God. In this passage below, it indicates that God wants us to help others be reconciled to Him.

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NLT

Reconciliation is not a foolish thing. It brings the views of two or more people together, creating compatibility. No April Fool’s in that.

Prayer – Lord, help us to be willing to put aside our own selfish desires and reconcile our ideas, goals, and values with You and with others. We don’t want to be foolish, but wise. Give us Your wisdom, that we would honor You in all that we think, say, and do.

Verse of Salvation ~ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 NLT

All scripture quoted from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Do You Honor the Son?

So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. But Jesus replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I." So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God. So Jesus explained, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:16-24

Meditate on who gives life.

Cross from Medjugorje
The life of Jesus

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three-in-one, but God the Father is above all. Jesus and the Holy Spirit operate on the words and guidance of God the Father. Since they are equal, it wasn’t blasphemy for Jesus to declare Himself the Son of God. He is who He is—and the Jewish leaders just couldn’t accept that truth.

Now he (Jesus) is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:33

Today. Times have not changed. God’s message is still as good today as it was in Jesus’ time. It is still the same message. Those who believe will be judged by Jesus, never condemned, but they are given eternal life. The truth is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

At one time, I prayed only to Jesus—then I began humbly praying to the Father…and even started praying specifically to the Holy Spirit. Three in one—yet distinctively separate. We are so blessed to have such an awesome, multidimensional God. Loving, kind, generous, considerate, compassionate, mighty, creative, powerful—and the list could go on forever. He wants us to be obedient to Him…and yet He lets us choose. The punishment—being cast away—for disobedience is a great motivator. Personally, I choose to be obedient—and to believe, recognize, and acknowledge His power and might. Like the angels, I stand in awe of Him. Do you?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? He is truthful. He is humble, acknowledging He can do nothing by Himself—only what He is told to do or sees His Father doing. Our Heavenly Father has declared that Jesus is the judge so that we honor them both. Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe in Him. For what more could we ask?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I stand in awe of You—well, actually, I fall on my knees…and then on my face. You are too awesome for me to just sit and chat with—but I long to spend time with You. Please accept my humble life—cleanse my very heart, soul, and mind that I would be pure before God the Father, since You shed Your blood for me. You are mighty, awesome, powerful—all knowing, all caring, and all loving to those who love You. I love You. I am Yours—You are mine. All that I have and all that there is on earth…and the universe…belongs to You.

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I (Paul) was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13

Last day of March

Portions recycled from November 12, 2024, Banquet With The King blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, March 30, 2026

Questions – Who, Where, When?

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!" But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded. The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. John 5:9-15

Meditate. Consider how you would feel if you were healed like this man.

Where is the Sheep's Gate?
It is also known as the Lion's Gate.
In the northeast part of the wall in the Old City.
Symbolic of:
Sacrifice - Jesus' selfless love
Salvation - Through Jesus, we gain eternal life
Healing - hope in brokenness
Restoration -
Nehemiah rebuilt the wall - God rebuilds our hearts

This is the only account of this miracle in the Gospels. Jesus compassionately and generously healed this man. He didn’t touch him. He just spoke the words.

Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!" John 5:8

That is just what he did, but the problem was that it was the Sabbath, and no one is to carry any burden on the Sabbath. The mat was considered a burden by the Pharisees, who confronted the cured fellow. Then, when this man encountered Jesus later and learned who He was, he told the Jewish leaders. Woops! Now, those leaders were out to get Jesus. They didn’t believe in Him, respect Him, or trust Him. It seems to me that they just jealously wanted to get rid of Him. Jesus was doing miracles that they couldn’t do.

Did the healed man stop sinning, or something even worse might happen to him? The account of this story doesn’t go on to tell us such details. We just know that he went to the Jewish leaders. He turned on the very person who had just healed him of thirty-eight years of a debilitating disease. How could he do that? He should have been grateful to Jesus. Would you have been? Would you have run to the Jewish leaders to tattle on Jesus? Did everyone have questions? Who healed this sick man? Where did it happen? When—what day of the week—did this miracle occur?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are awesome. You healed this lame man, even knowing that he would run to the Jewish leaders and rat you out. Such compassion and generosity. Thank You for Your healing touch to him and for sharing this story so that we can know You more deeply. Please continue to heal those who turn to You for Your merciful touch, and help us to understand when You don’t choose to heal our loved ones. We love You anyway.

Verse of Salvation ~ When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories