In the Presence of My Enemies

"You Prepare a table before me In the Presences of My Enemies" Ps:23:5

All Christians face difficult times in this life, in fact , difficulties will be with us as long as we are this side of Eternity.  

There are times when we can feel overwhelmed and perplexed at every turn we might find ourselves confronted with troubles.

We can be as as the Apostle  Paul wrote long ago.

"We are hard pressed on every side" 2Crth:4:8a

There are times when our adversaries are lurking in every and all our troubles.

No strange Thing

We can find our selves in such trails, and often we ask "why has such befallen us?" yet thru the Apostle Peter the Holy Spirit tells us that troubles will come to all who identify themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.

" Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;" 1Ptr:4:12

We can at times feel surrounded by our adversaries, what ever form they might assume; health problems, financial , occupational or relational or even persecution , or what ever form our enemies take there are times when we are unable to see beyond them, they are ever present in our lives,we languish at them and struggle to move forward but they are there present with us. 

A Table Prepared

When we find ourselves passing thru such periods in our lives where we are feeling in doubt as to our ability to go on or endure it,  and hope is fading, but ,  we can take courage that our Lord has made provisions for us in spite of all that assails us. 

It is there even in the midst of our hardships, even as difficulties mount up and deliverance seems far off , even in the presence of our enemies our Lord has made provisions for us. Our God has "prepared a table before me (us ) in the presence of my enemies Ps:23:5" .

This verse from Psalm:23 speaks to us regarding the sustaining power of  God in the lives of each and all of us even as we are dealing with an assortment of enemies surrounding us  as we pass thru this life on on our way to eternity.

In the ancient world  this imagery  of a the table was an important and meaningful part of life. The table symbolized fellowship, belonging, fraternity, acceptances of being welcome and the place of being sustained and honored.

The table we are told in  Psalm:23  that  God has made provision for us even "in the presences of my enemies".  Even as our enemies are present, there is the table of that the Lord has prepared for us.

While Enemies are Present

This verse  regarding the table prepared,  is placed in the end part of the middle part of the flocks journey home to the house of the Lord, which is where the Shepherd is taking all his sheep.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever."

This table which the Lord prepares for us is mentioned after the sheep have passed thru "the valley of the shadow of death" which was the place of transition in the life of the flock on their way to the houses of the Lord.  

This place of transition in the life of the flock,  and each of us , was guarded by the Lord himself "your rod and staff they comfort me" . It is mentioned that there is the realization that the "Lord is with me".  

This speaks to us of the true reason for each of us to take courage and not to fear the enemies which have gathered them selves against us,whatever form they have taken in our lives.  Our Lord is with us even as our enemies has come against us. 

 We often read this prepared table as being what lies ahead awaiting us beyond the confines of this life "in the house of the Lord", but this is not the setting of the Psalm. This table is for the here-and-now of this mortal life even as our enemies bay against us. This tells us that everything that the table symbolized in the ancient world, fellowship, belonging, fraternity, acceptances of being welcome and the place of being sustained and honored, is for us even here-and-now. That means that God is with us , with each and all,who trust in our Lord Jesus Christ even as we "in the presence of my  enemies".

"The table is a symbol of all that our Lord Jesus Christ is for each and all who will but freely receive it."

In Jesus we have  fellowship, belonging, fraternity, acceptances and of  being welcome,  and the place of being sustained and honored. All of this and even more is ours all thru Jesus. He wants us to avail ourselves of all that Jesus is for each and all who will but freely receive.

 As the Psalm declares "you are with me" therefore we need not fear despite the gathering difficulties of life. God is with us an will be us and keep us safe even in the face of problems. There is no enemy we can face in this life which is great than our God, even as they are present with us , so is our God.

 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" 1Jhn:4:4

 Do Not be Afraid

We all,  will face the enemies of this life and will,  at times contend with many challenges and difficulties in the life, but we need not fear them even when they mount up against us. Our Lord is near at hand and will face any and all enemies with us Jesus is there to straighten and comfort guide and provide for us.  We need not fear.

"in this life you will have trouble, but do not be afraid for I have defeated the world" Jhn:16:33

Our Lord has made provisions to sustain us and is with us thru our life challenges and struggles. Jesus is there with and will not forsake us.

" I will never leave you nor forsake you therfore I will not fear what men can do " Heb:13:5

Our Lord is with us no matter what we face. Jesus is there even in our difficulties , he will be for you and all of us. Jesus is all that we  need him to be even as our enemies come against us for he has prepared a table for  each and all of us "in the presence of my enemies". Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor 

The Fountain of Life Church a Congregation of Grace Communion
2101 Old National Pike.

Washington, Pennsylvania.   www.gcfountainoflife.org

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