A TABLE, IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES?
Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!
The 23rd psalm begins with a soothing image: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3)
But then the imagery shifts dramatically. We’re no longer sheep in a peaceful pasture. Suddenly, we are honored guests at a table—a table that God Himself has set. But pay close attention to where that table is placed:
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:5)
Wait…what?
Yes, God prepares a table before your enemies—right in the middle of the mess. Not in a hidden place of retreat. Not after the battle is over. But in the middle of the fight, surrounded by conflict, staring opposition in the face.
That’s not where we expect to be blessed, right? We associate the presence of enemies with warfare, not rest. With fear, not feasting. But God is making a radical statement: His presence is not limited by pressure. His peace is not disrupted by chaos. Just as He ordered the Israelites to be still in the face of their enemies, He is inviting us to do that same.
When God prepares a table before your enemies He’s not just interested in public blessing. He wants personal communion. He wants to nourish your soul right in the places where you’ve been attacked.
So ask yourself today:
What voices have I let sit at my table?
What lies have I believed that God never said?
What peace have I surrendered that I need to take back?
The table is personal. The blessing is public. The battle is real. But the seat is yours.
Shalom
Pastor Williams