Sitting in the Safety of His Watch

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over (Psalm 23:5 NKJV).

King David describes the relationship he enjoyed with God through this Psalm, which is probably one of the most well known Psalms in the Bible.  Even those who do not know Scripture can quote parts, if not all, of these verses.  And who better to describe the kind of personal relationship God has with His people than someone described as a man after God’s own heart.  And what better metaphor could David have used than a shepherd with sheep, since this was the background of his formative years.  David would have known what it meant to be a shepherd and the kind of care that it took to watch over a flock of sheep.  He even credits his ability to take on Goliath to the fact that his years of tending sheep had put him in situations that required enough courage to kill a lion and a bear to protect the helpless animals under his care.

And now, years later, he pens this prominent part of God’s Word, knowing that he, himself, had many times prepared food for the sheep in the midst of wild predators who were waiting for them to be “off guard” enough to attack.  What better time to take advantage of someone when his or her focus is on food.  Yet, under the watchful eye of their good shepherd, they would never have to worry about the attacks of their enemies because David stood guard, willing to risk his very own life to preserve theirs. 

This verse is exactly what we need to remember when we feel overwhelmed and challenged by the enemy.  While we cannot see Him with our natural eye, we are assured by this Psalm that God is setting up a table of sustenance for us at which to safely eat, even when there are predators all around.  By faith we can rest assured that if God is for us, who can be against us. 

The next time I feel the enemy is looking to devour me, I will picture in my mind, the Lord setting a table for me so that I can walk peacefully in the anointing He has given me and experience the abundance of overflowing blessing that comes from knowing Him.