Banquet worthy of both host and guest

I have been doing a lot of cooking lately. I haven't prepared anything that would qualify me as a "foodie" or master of anything; although if you ask my kids, I am the master of pancakes.

This newly found fascination with the simple elegance of food has raised some awareness of things that I didn't expect. Much to my surprise this new awareness of food has brought a greater depth and appreciation of the banquet contained in the 23rd Psalm.

Many of us, whether a believer in God or not, recognize phrases from the 23rd Psalm -- "The Lord is my Shepherd."

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."

"Your rod and your staff comfort me."

These phrases read at a church service or at a funeral are often recognizable. Yet, it is the final phrase that is often read through quickly and little pause is taken to think upon its meaning. This last phrase focuses itself on a banquet that has been prepared.

There is a lot of detail that goes into preparing a banquet. A good banquet is one that encompasses so much more than food; the setting, the décor, the arrangements -- every detail matters but the focus is on the food.

Whenever a meal is prepared, whether the Tuesday evening meatloaf or the special occasion, a lot of thought goes into the detail of what is being served. The planning, the shopping, the preparation and the eating each contains tremendous levels of detailed thought. Yet if you took the same meal, prepared the same way by the same chef and served one on a paper plate and the other on a ceramic plate, I would wager that most people would say that the food on the ceramic plate tastes better. Why? Details matter.

This level of detail doesn't escape the 23rd Psalm. The Lord prepares a banquet. Everything is arranged. Everything is in order. Every detail that could possibly cause this banquet to be worthy of the both the host and the guest of honor has been thought through and prepared. The Lord is ready for a great feast and celebrates his guest of honor who is enduring great duress.

Psalm 23 is more than a description. It is an invitation to become that guest of honor. In all the details the Lord thought of the most important one -- you.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com