“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” Psalm 23:5
This verse it is part of a VERY familiar and popular passage of scripture that I have rushed past numerous times. It wasn’t until recently after I started a new book and bible study that focused on the 23rd Psalm that this verse stuck out to me. In Louie Giglio’s new book, “Don’t Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table” he stresses the significance of it.
This table that has been prepared is an intimate invitation to experience the presence of God Himself. A time where His focus is on me and in return ALL my focus should be on Him. Honest and open conversation is what He wants from me at this table. It is where God wants to know how I am doing. What is the burden of my heart? Where am I struggling? This table is where I meet with my Shepherd and in His presence, I can find the promises contained within this Psalms are true. He will provide, give peace, restore, guide, protect and comfort me. I don’t have wait for circumstances to change, problems to be erased, or difficult situations to end before I can experience all that He is waiting to give me….at this table.
But this table – is meant for two.
Too many times when I come to the table, I bring along a guest. Something or someone that I am allowing to steal my attention away and keep me from entering into the one-on-one conversation with my Shepherd. My focus is on the enemy and instead of the table just being in his presence, I have actually invited him over and pulled out a chair for him to sit down. When I focus on the circumstances of the valley that I am currently walking through that is when the worry, fear, and doubt take over. Everything He wanted to share with me is left untouched and I leave His presence carrying the weight I brought in with me and I am never satisfied.
I don’t want to miss what my Shepherd has prepared for me. This isn’t just a table….it is MY table and I can take it back. The devil will still prowl around and look for ways to attack me (1 Peter 5:8) but I know that if I resist the devil that he will flee (James 4:7). He will not be given a seat at my table anymore. My time with the Lord is a precious gift and my table cost Him everything to prepare it for me. Through His death and resurrection, I now have the privilege to receive an amazing invitation to sit with my God every day, rest in His presence and know that “goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” Ps 23:6.
Are you daily joining your Shepherd at the table that He has prepared just for you? If not, today is a good day to accept that invitation and receive all that He wants to give to you.
“The Lord is MY Shepherd and I shall not want” (Ps 23:1)
Melodie