The Gift Table is a Restoration Table

Albert Bogle January 18, 2026 0 0

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Psalm 40 (NIVUK)

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire –
    but my ears you have opened; –
    burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come –
    it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.’

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, ‘Aha! Aha!’
    be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    ‘The Lord is great!’

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.

The gift table is a multipurpose table. It’s a place where we can gather to eat, but it’s also a workshop table where the gifts of God can be tenderly and expertly restored, redeemed, renewed. 

Have you ever thought that the Bible is like God’s power tools manual — instructing us how best to use the variety of tools and attachments in the toolbox given for the use of the whole community of faith.

Each of us is like an apprentice learning from the master craftsman in order to effectively restore the gifts of grace that have been left on the table for us to use. However it requires the Holy Spirit to plug it into the God-source,  to make it come alive in our hands, helping us to understand God’s restoration plan. Psalm 40 reminds us of some of these gifts. The gift of security, the gift of belonging, the gift of song, the gift of restoring, the gift of believing, the gift of knowing the goodness of God. All these gifts in our hands in store for our generation.

Prayer:

Lord,

Your power tools are dangerous 

In my hands they could be lethal

But you have given me the instructions

I have no excuse

I want to do things right

Somehow I feel I know more about your power

Your Word, when I think about it —

It’s almost as though 

The instructions are written on my heart

Yet I’m so fearful

Even worried to step up 

To pick up a gift 

Come Holy Spirit

Turn on the power

Flick the switch

Let me begin my apprenticeship 

What should I choose first?

The gift of security? 

Come lift me out of my fears

Place my feet on a secure rock

Then I know my restoration is in progress.