Table Talk

Our makeshift congregation —scattered across three states— met on a conference call each Sabbath morning during 2020 to study the Bible.

To me, our weekly quest for fellowship and straight truth was like the groups that Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformer, called together in the 1500s in his book Table Talk. Though not seated at a table, we felt the Lord was nigh as we shared research and insights by phone for three hours or more.

Luther’s five-hundred-year-old book vividly presented the historical perspectives of the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s notes about his Spirit-filled sessions referred to events and personalities and the stuff of life —common peoples’ lives. Luther valued the priesthood of believers— salvation seekers not just being ministered to but sharing in the delivery of the gospel.

When I happened upon Psalm 145, I found that David reveals a passion like Luther for talking with believers. Envision with me how David, consummate worship leader that he was, orchestrates conversations with an impromptu choir, each contributing insights about praise (verses 1–3). He urges a mature person to share with a younger one about God’s acts and to utter personal memories about God’s goodness (verses 4, 7).

Men speak about a terrifying time when they witnessed God’s intercession, and they commemorate it with a tune about His righteousness (verses 6, 7).

Someone snapshots God’s future kingdom in all its glory and majesty (verses 11–13). Some tender and inclusive soul then reminds fellow believers that the Lord is good to all, that all depend on Him, and that God upholds all who fall and raises all those who are bowed down (verses 9, 10, 14, 15). A concerned God interacts with His human creatures, fulfilling their desires, hearing their cry, and preserving them that love Him back (verses 19, 20). Sadly (or is it justly?) the wicked will He destroy (verse 20).

David concludes that he is inviting all flesh to make their calling and election sure to meet in heaven where the saved will bless God’s name forever (verse 21). To God be the glory. No one can steal the joy of our salvation if we pledge “every day” (verse 2) to “make known... [God’s] mighty acts and the glorious majesty of his kingdom” (verse 12, KJV).

Elinor Harvin Burks