The Table

Psalm 23 cont’d:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

This just might be the best imagery of all in this chapter.

Imagine a group of sheep grazing in the green pastures, sitting beside the still waters, and a pack of wolves surrounds the area.  

This is the scene in which many of us feel we are players.  Everything seems to be going well, and all of a sudden things go bad, and we feel we are about to be eaten!

Just as the sheep start to quiver in their hooves, the shepherd walks to the center of the pasture and sets a table, prepares the feast, and invites the sheep to come and eat.

One would think the wolves would rush the table once the food is set out, but the food that is prepared is not to be devoured by the wolves.  It’s to be nourishment for the sheep.

When we are following the Good Shepherd, it doesn’t matter how dark, or grim, or scary things are around us.  

All of the tasty goodies that he has prepared for us cannot be destroyed or taken from us, because when He sets the table, he only invites those for whom it is prepared.

And that’s you and me!

So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast...and the let the wolves look on...because they cannot approach the table set by your shepherd.  And pretty soon, they'll lose interest and disappear into the dark...