This week we look at verse 5 of Psalm 23: ”You prepare a table before me’ in the presence of my enemies”. David now turns his eye away from the country side with its rugged terrain, the threats of predators and storms, and begins to look upward, heavenward and homeward. The classic metaphor of sheep and shepherd now changes to Host and guest. It’s not just a weekday dinner party. It is a scrumptious royal feast! As a king himself, David would have known what a royal feast was all about. But here we see something very touching and significant – there is the only one guest! David sees himself as the only guest. YOU prepare a table before ME! This is a very intimate meal. A time when very special memories are made. David had those memories and so do you.
Recalling those special times when the Lord came through and prepared a table, just for you, just for me! What a picture of God’s personal love and care for each of his children. Next time you have those very real feelings of inferiority, a lack of self worth, a lack of confidence, saying to yourself, “I’m not up to this, I’m not good enough”, etc., I want you to recall this picture. David had the same feelings. There were times when he felt God had forgotten him, but then there were also times when he had forgotten God.
And yet he writes: “You prepare a table before me”! The Lord says to all his children, the Shepherd to the sheep: “My grace is sufficient for you my child”. When I was disobedient to my parents as a youngster, I don’t recall my mother ever toning down my meal. I got the same as everyone else. My Mom’s love and provision stayed consistent and within that consistency she would gently redirect me, sometimes less gently than I would have preferred.
Our second observation is that David’s enemies are mere observers. The balance of power has now shifted because the King has arrived. For too long, David’s enemies mocked him for his Trust in Lord, and often David was powerless to overcome them. In Psalm 13:1-2 hear him cry out: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” It must often have seemed to David, and to the watching world, as if the Lord had indeed forgotten him and allowed his enemies to overpower and overwhelm him. But we need to be careful because appearances can be very deceptive. When the King arrives justice is finally done. David, the one who, even with his failures and shortcomings, remained faithful to the Lord. He is vindicated and is shown to be the one whom the Lord loves and delights to honour, and the Lord does it, “in the presence of his enemies”.
Be encouraged!
With much Christian Love,
Anton van Stormbroek