Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies… Psalm 23: 5
How awkward might it be if the winning team was to have the celebratory dinner with the losing team in attendance – for both the winning team and the losing team? Or, how annoying for the losing team if they had been made to attend the dinner knowing that they’d been told “we’re going to hit a fast-food place on the way out of town so, best not to think you’re getting any of the special dinner!” Or, maybe, how encouraging for the winning team to know this was going to be the case for the losers?
If we consider the shepherd/sheep scenario here, we can get a better picture of what David was possibly meaning:
1. The Shepherd is saying to the enemies of the sheep, “See, see what you’ve missed out on by being an enemy of the sheep?”
2. The Shepherd is saying to the enemies, “don’t even think about trying to upset or “crash” this dinner – I’m bigger than you and I’ve prepared this for only my sheep…”
3. The Shepherd is reminding the sheep: “don’t be concerned about your enemies being right there – that close, this is a meal that I’ve prepared for you. Eat and rest as calmly and peacefully as you normally do. They’re not going to even try to interfere.
4. The Shepherd is saying, “Hey, enemies of my sheep, see this rod and staff? They’re as much against you as they are for them. You need to remember that! Best remember that it is I who controls their coming and going, their rest times and travel times – me, not you – on any level.
Yes, friends, The Good Shepherd is saying all of these and more – to everyone…
Take heart, it is He who controls and prepares the situation for us even in the presence of our enemies…
- Lord, help us to remember that You are in control even when the enemy is close.
- Help us to remember that he had to ask permission to test and try to defeat Job.
- Pray for eyes to see God in the midst of the storm.