When Love Sets the Table

Feasting on the One Who Satisfies The Soul

This is the time of year when hearts turn toward fellowship when tables are set, candles lit, and gratitude expressed. Yet beneath the beauty of gathering, Love Himself reminds us: there’s a greater table already prepared.

The center focus is the table. It’s coming together to celebrate in thankfulness. However, this year feels marked by a certain heaviness. A fox has slipped into the vineyard, exposing how fragile the world truly is (Song of Songs 2:15). The veil has been torn back, revealing that the system of this world is unstable, uncertain, and steeped in scarcity.

My heart grieves as I watch people grasp for security, control, and stability in what they can touch. So many have forgotten, or never known, that we have a Heavenly Father.

People toil and strive to secure their own future, fearful of losing what little they think they have. Yet the birds of the air, who neither sow nor reap, rest in the tender care of their Maker (Matthew 6:26). Even creation acknowledges its dependence on the One who sustains all things (Colossians 1:17), while humanity—crowned with glory—has lost sight of the Giver Himself.

Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide

Recently, as I studied God’s Word on the theme of provision, my heart was drawn once again to Genesis 22—the story of Abraham and Isaac.

Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “My son, God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” Genesis 22:8.

This time, the words “God Himself” arrested my attention. I’ve often seen this as a prophetic glimpse of Jesus—and it is, but there’s more. Jesus is the Son of God, and Jesus is God. Therefore, God is not only the Provider—He Himself is the Provision.

It sounds like a play on words, but I assure you it’s not. One is the generous Giver; the other is the Substance—the Gift.

In every age, every test, and every need, God demonstrates that He provides Himself. In Him, we receive everything.

Even the lamb caught in the thicket speaks of this.

The lamb did not arrive there by accident; it went willingly, a subtle foreshadowing of Christ’s own surrender to the Father’s will (John 10:17–18).

Scripture tells us that the Good Shepherd lays down His life of His own accord, and the scene on Moriah whispers the same truth in shadow form.

And notice this:

A ram’s horns are not ordinarily caught. Rams are strong. Their horns symbolize power, authority, and dominion. When animals are trapped, it is usually their flesh—the soft, vulnerable parts that become entangled. But this ram, the one God provided, is found with its horns woven into the thicket, restrained not by weakness but by design.

It had to be this way!

The sacrifice needed to be without blemish, untouched, uninjured, preserved in strength. The entangling of the horns is a divine detail: God’s fingerprint. It reveals that this ram was not harmed by struggle or panic; it was intentionally held there, set apart for the altar.

This is a picture of Christ in breathtaking clarity:

• His submission was not forced.

• His sacrifice was not accidental.

• His offering was not the result of human intervention but divine appointment.

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Just as the ram stood ready, suspended by its crown, Jesus approached His hour with full authority—bound not by the brutality of man, but by the love of God.

The ram’s horns caught in the thicket prefigure the Crown of Thorns, the righteous King willingly yielding Himself as the substitute. The One with all authority chose the path of surrender, so that we, like Isaac, could walk away redeemed.

The Only Son

What unraveled me most is found later in Genesis 22:

“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:16.

Two things stand out. First, notice the intentional phrasing: “your only son.” It’s the second time in this passage that those words appear (see Genesis 22:2), and by now Abraham actually had two sons—Isaac and Ishmael. The Spirit is deliberate here. This moment was never ultimately about Isaac; it was pointing to Jesus, the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16).

Second, those words “have not withheld your son” led me straight to Romans 8:32, where the Holy Spirit connects Abraham’s obedience to the Father’s ultimate offering:

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,

how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.

The Greater Provision

This is the heartbeat of the Gospel: Jesus is the provision (John 1:29).

In Him, the Father has already given us His best (Ephesians 1:3).

As David penned, in Him, we lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).

We don’t have to labor for what grace has already secured (John 6:27).

We don’t have to fear loss when we are heirs of an unshakable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

We don’t have to strive when all things pertaining to life and godliness are already ours in Christ (2 Peter 1:3).

The Feast of His Abundance

When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are invited to an eternal table, a continual feast of His goodness.

He is the Bread of Life that satisfies (John 6:35).

He is the Living Water that never runs dry (John 4:14).

He is the Peace that calms every storm (Mark 4:39).

He is the Shepherd who leads us to green pastures and still waters, restores our souls, and guides us on paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:1–3).

As I continued my study in the word, there was a verse in my heart, a whisper, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.

A reminder of Whose we are and what He has given us. We live in the Kingdom of God—one where everything is good, true, whole, and supplied.

When lack, sickness, or insufficiency stand before us, we, like Jesus, take what is in our hands, bless it, and lift our eyes to the Father, who multiplies (Matthew 14:19. Beloved, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He never changes, and His table never empties.

The world system, the great Babylon, is built on scarcity, fueled by fear, and thrives on insecurity. But the Kingdom of our Lord and Christ is limitless, abundant, and secure.

As citizens of heaven, we, like our Lord Jesus, take what is in our hands, look up to our Abba Father with complete confidence, and thank Him, knowing He will bless and multiply it. We have access, authority, and power through the Holy Spirit to see what our Father is doing and to walk in step with Him (John 5:19; Galatians 5:25). Jesus is the Key.

This Is Not Cheap Faith

This isn’t “name it and claim it.” The thinking that cheapens the richness of His grace.

This is unshakeable trust in God, our Father, who calls us to be conduits of His provision, partners in His peace, and vessels of His glory on the earth.

Our lives may appear ordinary, but they are marked by an extraordinary God. Let us not water down the life He has called us to live. It isn’t just for us—it’s to reflect Him stunningly to the world that is lost. We don’t operate the way the world does; we rest and rely on our Father; in this way, He receives the glory.

We are only salt and light because of Him (Matthew 5:13–14). Remember, salt that loses its savor and a lamp that hides its light becomes ineffective. But those who abide in Him shine with His abundance and reveal His heart (John 15:5–8) and become His hands, feet, and voice in the earth.

Let us, moment by momently, remember Him.

Remember, Love set the table for us with His body and His blood. He drank the cup of suffering, and now we raise the cup of blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16).

Though the season may seem bleak for many, this represents yet another opportunity for us as believers to share the Gospel and introduce those in our sphere of influence to the One who has set the table and calls them by a new name (Isaiah 62:2).

We have been given the most amazing commission—to share the Kingdom of supply with those who are hurting and experiencing lack.

A Word of Exhortation: What a God!

What a God!

Who provides all things richly for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

Who gave His Son as the Lamb of provision and redemption (John 1:29).

Who daily invites us to an abundant, perpetual feast of His love, joy, peace, grace, goodness, and glory (Psalm 36:8).

He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider—

not merely of what we lack, but of Himself.

Presence, fullness, wholeness.

And that, beloved, is more than enough. ✞

Love has set the table.

The invitation stands.

Jesus is and always will be enough!

“But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”

Luke 14:16-17.

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Joel 2:26.

Let’s Pray

Abba Father,

I am grateful that You, Love, have set the table. Everything is prepared. You call me by name and invite me to partake of an inheritance that is unfathomable. Your love is profound and wraps me in safety, acceptance, and peace. Thank You that Your table never runs empty and Your mercies never run out.

Lord Jesus,

You are the Lamb that was slain. I celebrate You, calling to remembrance Your body broken for me so that I could walk in healing, wholeness, and peace. Your blood poured out for me so that I would be cleansed, justified, and declared righteous. You are the Bread of Life and my Living Water. Teach me to eat and drink of You daily.

And now, Holy Spirit,

You woo me in love, lead me in truth, and stir me with grace. Thank You for reminding me of the finished work of Jesus, for pointing me always to Him, and for healing my heart, mind, and soul. Let me hear Your still, small voice as You guide me to others. May the words that flow from my lips be Your words—filled with grace and truth, feeding the hungry and comforting the weary.

All this I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Contemplation:

Reflection:

Where have you seen the Lord provide Himself, not just things, but His presence, in your life this year?

Response:

What area of your heart still feels tempted to strive, grasp, or fear lack? How can you surrender that place to Jehovah Jireh today?

Revelation:

Meditate on Genesis 22:8 and Romans 8:32. What do these verses reveal about the Father’s love for you and His willingness to give you all things in Christ?

Rest:

Take a moment to picture the table He’s set before you—abundance, peace, healing, wholeness, and grace without end. What does it mean to you that Love Himself set the table and request your presence?

Renewal:

Read the prayer aloud, then write your own offering of praise that exalts Him.

Image from Unsplash: By Europeana.