The rough and the smooth | 11
- Christian Healing Mission
- Oct 10, 2020
- 1 min read
‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’ Psalm 23.5
What is wonderful about this particular verse is that it brings together two realities that we find so hard to combine in our lives. On the one hand it speaks about the reality of God’s goodness, his pleasure and provision for us, and on the other hand it speaks about our enemies – the people or situations that seem to conspire against us.
We may well have had experience of both. There have probably been times when we can look back and see the Lord’s hand upon our lives, and yet we also know the reality of darker times, when nothing seems to go right and forces seem to conspire against us.
What is wonderful about this phrase is that David puts the two together. When our enemies are present, so is the Lord. Too often we equate difficulty with God’s absence or with his displeasure. Such a divide is simply not true.
At the end of the day, or at the beginning of the next, look back and acknowledge the difficulties – what was hard, why did you feel so attacked or rejected? Then call to mind the times of God’s presence and provision – the kind words spoken to you and the touches of his grace and mercy. These are his table in the presence of your enemies.
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