Communion With the Christ:: In the Presence of Our 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 the Apostle St. Paul wrote long ago.

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

There are times when our adversaries are lurking in every and all our troubles seemed to multiply and we are surrounded by adversity.

No strange Thing

We can find ourselves in such times trials, and often we ask "why has such problems befallen us?" yet, through the Apostle St. 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;" 1Pet:4:12

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

A Table Prepared

When we find ourselves passing through such seasons in our lives when we are feeling in doubt as to our ability to go on or endure it and hope is fading, 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 as David wrote in "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 through this life on our way to eternity.

In the ancient world this imagery of 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.

At the table, we are told in Psalm:23, that God has made provision for us even "in the presences of my(our) enemies". Even, as our enemies are present, there is the table 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 flock’s 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." Ps:23

This table which the Lord prepares for us is mentioned after the sheep have passed through "the valley of the shadow of death" which was the place of transition in the life of the flock on their way to the house 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 themselves 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 come 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 through Jesus. Our Father 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 and 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 greater than our God, even as they are present with us.

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 in this life and will at times contend with many challenges and difficulties in the life, but we need not fear them even when they gather together and 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 through the onslaughts which we will face and our life challenges and struggles. Jesus is there with and will not forsake us.

" I will never leave you nor forsake you therefor 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. Jesus 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 even "in the presence of my enemies".

Benediction: May we each and all ever come to the table of the Lord and find his sustaining power and blessing, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen