“He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Sustain me with raisin cakes, Refresh me with apples, Because I am lovesick.” 
—Song of Songs 2:4-5, NASB

Reflection 

Several years ago, while ministering at a Messianic congregation in Ohio, there was a sense in the heart that the Holy Spirit was doing a deep work in some people’s lives. He was bringing them to a place of crossing over, like the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. 

Afterward, the Israelites built a memorial to mark that something significant had happened. It was a place of remembrance of what the Lord had done. In a similar way, the Lord was uprooting some things, setting people free, and bringing them to a new state of closeness in their walk with Him. 

At the end of the service, there came the unction of the Holy Spirit to invite forward those who felt this was happening in their lives. Fifteen people responded, and they held hands in a circle. Authority was taken in the Spirit, and a line was drawn, so to speak. A brand-new thing had happened. God had brought them to a new place in Him, with a new ability to walk with Him, to experience His love and intimacy. As a result of this, He was going to sustain this new place with raisin cakes. 

It was an unusual thing to say, except that raisin cakes had been mentioned in the portion of Scripture taught that morning. Of course, raisin cakes are literal foods made from dried grapes, but they are not very common anymore, at least not in the United States. 

A few weeks later, one of those fifteen people came with a testimony. After the raisin cakes service, he had been driving down the road and really struggling. He had health issues and other challenges. He thanked the Lord for all the things He had done. He knew the Lord wanted to teach him to live by faith and not by sight, but he was really struggling. He asked if God could give him a raisin cake to encourage him, refresh him, and let him know He was there. 

Right when he was praying, his phone rang. His wife told him that a particular Spirit-led person in their lives had visited. This person would mysteriously show up at strategic times to share encouraging words from the Lord. She had left a bag with some items in it for him. 

That lifted his spirits, but when he got home and opened the bag, he received an even bigger surprise. This woman, who was not part of the congregation and knew nothing about what had happened at church, had delivered a gift of raisin cakes. 

Jesus knew exactly how to let that man know He was sustaining his faith and refreshing him for the next phase of the journey. That is what it is like feasting in the banquet hall of the Lord. He takes care of us. 

Application 

• Remember the places where the Lord has brought you across, uprooted what needed to go, and brought you into a new state of closeness with Him. 

• Ask Jesus to sustain your faith and refresh you for the next phase of the journey. 

Prayer 

Father, thank You for bringing me into Your banquet hall and placing Your banner of love over me. Uproot what needs to be uprooted, set me free, and bring me into a new place of closeness in my walk with You. Jesus, sustain my faith and refresh me for the next phase of the journey. Teach me to live by faith and not by sight when I am struggling. Let me remember that You know exactly how to encourage me and let me know You are there. Amen.