Psalm 23 is among one of the most quoted chapters in the bible, and here’s a part of it:
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.
Here we read of two types of presence.
“…for you are with me” – God is with us even in the dark, and even when we are afraid, his rod and staff guide and comfort.
“…presence of my enemies” – yep, they’re real – the enemies of fear, loss, abandonment, etc. – and they’re ominous and scary.
However…because God is with us, we can actually sit down at a table prepared with food to satisfy and fill us, to laugh and recline at his table with Him, all in the very presence of our enemies and we will not be disturbed.
In fact, goodness and mercy will be our companions that follow us all of our lives.
I love visuals. And I see here a table in the middle of a meadow with dark forest encircling it – with wolves howling, eyes peering through the branches, and threats all around. But in the center of the table is an incredible light that is blinding to all of those peering enemies and they don’t dare come near, until the meal is eaten, the celebration is over and the light has moved on.
Are you rejoicing over this fact, yet?
In the presence of your enemies, you can eat and rest in peace.
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