Is It Time for a Feast?

Prayer – Lord, you honor me with anointing oil…and a feast! I’m the one who should be honoring You in all that I think, say, and do. You are continually worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Thank you for bringing people into my life that remind me of Your sacrifice, Jesus, and with whom we can share what You are doing in our lives. You have so richly blessed us. We are nothing without You. You are our shepherd…and our Savior, our Redeemer, our Teacher, the one who admonishes and corrects us, and our friend. The list of Your attributes is endless. Thank you, Lord God for who You are…and all that You do. Open our eyes and our hearts that we would see others as You do and that we would minister to them as You would. Thank You. 

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (Verse 5 underlined for today’s focus.)

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

 

How is God blessing you today?

            Is it time for a feast? What are you celebrating today? Every day is a day to celebrate God. He is worthy of our praise and adoration. How do you honor Him in your life?

           

Even in the presence of my enemies--
like this snake...
I will fear no evil.
The rod and staff of my Shepherd protect me.

Psalm 23 tells us that this shepherd of our lives…Jesus…prepares a feast before us, anoints us with oil and blesses us beyond measure. This translation of the Bible just uses “feast” whereas some other translations use the word “table” which is “mesa” in Spanish. Table…feast…they are so related. You have to have a table to have a feast, and if there is a feast, there’ll be a table. So, load it up with some good food. The Lord, our shepherd, sets His sheep on the mesa—the table—even preparing a feast of the best grassland and protecting them from wild beasts—the enemies of the sheep. He is the true shepherd.

            This shepherd cares for His sheep—pouring oil over their heads to remove fly infestations and moisturize their head—just like He would ours in a dry climate. Sheep are prone to bug infestations that can drive them crazy. Those bugs are an evil enemy to those poor sheep, but the shepherd cares and rescues them.

            Blessing upon blessings. That is just what the shepherd does. He pours out the blessings on His sheep. We are the sheep of the Lord our God—and He blesses us. Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us…and to be with us until the end of the age. What a comfort to know that in the trials, turmoils, and temptations of life, Jesus is with us. That is just how the shepherd is with His sheep—always there for them. He doesn’t abandon them—but is right there with them day and night. He provides all that they need and cares for them in storms and scorching sunshine.

            The Lord is my shepherd—I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me by still waters, and He restores my soul. He shows me the right path to take—the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death—like we all must someday—I’m not afraid—no fear—because Jesus is with me.

            When was the last time you experienced real fear? I almost got hit while driving earlier today…and fear jumped up and yelled in my face—STOP! I did—just in time so that I didn’t crash into another car. Jesus was with me—and even if a disaster had occurred, I would still have had Jesus and the Holy Spirit right there with me. I choose to know and claim that promise. How about you—what is your choice? Are you ready for a feast?           

 

Verse of Salvation ~ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

            This is an original recipe developed in a Home Economics food class at Central Washington State College (now CWU) by my sister, Shirley Jeske Woody. She loved to cook as much as she loved to play the piano—which was a great passion for her. One day we will feast together around the King’s Table. When it is time for a feast, maybe she’ll create another dish, make one of her blue-ribbon winning apple pies, or just for that occasion, play “Flight of the Bumblebee” on the piano one more time for us.

 

Krautburger Casserole

1 lb. hamburger

Salt and pepper

1 1-lb can sauerkraut, drained

1 can diced or stewed tomatoes

8 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated

 

Brown hamburger in skillet. Drain off excess grease. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes. Add sauerkraut. Stir together. Stir cheese into mixture. Pour into greased 1½ quart casserole dish. Bake in 325 over for 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. This casserole may be prepared entirely in a skillet by heating thoroughly before adding the cheese. It will be juicier unless some of the tomato liquid is reserved before the tomatoes are added. This is good served over toast, brown rice or wide egg noodles. Feast on this some cold winter day and enjoy!

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

 

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