COME AND DINE

        Many years ago when we first moved to our present home, we were surrounded by fields of corn grown by a neighboring farmer.  Quite early in the morning his wife would walk through the rows to check on the condition of the corn and as she walked she would sing hymns.  And because of the quietness of the morning hours we could often hear her.  And the hymn we heard the most often was "Come and Dine". Today the fields and the farmer and his wife are gone, replaced by a housing development.  And we do miss her and her frequent morning concerts.  But we often think about what appeared to be one of her favorite hymns.  Pastor Charles B. Widmeyer (1894-1974) wrote the words and music for this gospel song in 1906. He studied vocal music from age 12 and, at age 15 began teaching classes of his own. His first song was actually written at age 15.  He wrote more than 350 songs and edited or contributed to many songbooks. "Come and Dine" was written following the reading of John 21 and his meditation on the similarity between the tired, hungry disciples and people of his day who were both spiritually and physically hungry.  It is based on an incident described in John 21:1-14 in which Peter and half a dozen of the other disciples had fished all night and had nothing to show for it.  This was discouraging and they had probably worked up a big appetite. But Jesus was on the shore and had apparently not only caught fish, but prepared them, along with some breakfast toast. He called for them to make one more cast of their net "on the right side of the boat". The amazing result was a catch so great that they had trouble hauling the net into the boat. They found that they had caught 153 "large fish".  When they came ashore, the Lord invited them to "come and eat breakfast", or, in the KJV that Widmeyer was using, "Come and dine."  This was an example of the loving care and provision of the Lord.  He provided for them in a very practical way as He does for us today.  He had anticipated their need and was prepared in advance to meet it.  What a joy to be able to trust in God's provision, knowing that He already knows what we'll face tomorrow and stands by ready to help us. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"  (Phil. 4:19).  And so, even today, the Lord knows our needs, often before we even know them, and He says "Come and dine" with me, at any time,  and trust me to provide and meet those needs.  Listen to His call today and rest at the table He has spread for you.  He will supply your every need.

1.     Jesus has a table spread

Where the saints of God are fed,

He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine";

With His manna He doth feed

And supplies our every need:

Oh, 'tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

2.    The disciples came to land,

Thus obeying Christ's command,

For the Master called unto them, "Come and dine";

There they found their heart's desire,

Bread and fish upon the fire;

Thus He satisfies the hungry every time

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

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3.     Soon the Lamb will take His bride

To be ever at His side,

All the host of heaven will assembled be;

Oh, 'twill be a glorious sight,

All the saints in spotless white;

And with Jesus they will feast eternally.

"Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

Listen to it here.

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