Continuing our journey through Psalm 23 together, we've gone through the green pastures, the quiet waters, and through the righteous paths which lead us through the valley. What comes next though? A table. We have a dual image of the shepherd and a dinner host. 

Our first phrase is, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." I love how we sit around tables at Tables Church, because this is how God often relates to people.

Have you noticed in the Gospels how often Jesus eats with people? He goes to this pharisee's house, he goes to that tax collector's hosue, he eats with Mary and Martha and Lazarus. He sees Zacchaeus in a tree and says hey let's go eat at your place. He loves to go eat with people. That's like his favorite thing because that's how people relate. It's the way humans connect. Ministry and discipleship, and that happens in relationships with others.

A Seat at Jesus's Table

Jesus gives a dining invitation in Revelation 3. Here is what he says: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

When we read this passage, we need to remember it is not about salvation. This isn't Jesus knocking on the door of your heart so he can get you out of hell. This is actually for the purpose of reconciliation. This verse is to a lukewarm church that trusts in their own means, their own wealth, their own reputation and ability. They no longer rely on Jesus for their victory. He calls them to repent and to be desperate for the food that only Jesus can give them.

If I rely on what Jesus gives me, I have a seat at Jesus's table. If I just rely on myself, my own ways, and my own means, it is up to me to find food in the desert, and I will last like half an hour in the desert. We need to remember that this table comes post paths of righteousness and post through the valley. What comes after the valley? The provision.

In the Presence of My Enemies

God prepares a table before me. He does not say in the presence of my favorite folks. He does not say in the presence of those who are easy for me to sit with. He says in the presence of my enemies.

This is an important word for David because he's not talking about an enemy who sometimes trolls him on Facebook. He was chased through the desert multiple times for years of his life by literal armies trying to kill him. He has had the king hurling spears at him. David writes this passage and says that while enemies are real, God's provision is more real. Which matters more? The presence of my enemies or the presence of God? The presence of God overwrites the presence of my enemies. It overrules the presence of my enemies. It makes the presence of my enemies irrelevant to what God can do in my life.

Your enemies are powerless to stop what God wants to do in your life. Think of your setbacks, the things you have lost, your failures, betrayals from those who you trusted who should have loved you and hurt you instead. We think that messed it up. We think that ruined it. But God will accomplish his goodness for you despite your enemies. Your enemies have no power to disrupt God's peace and enjoyment, because God is here.

Jesus's Victory Over Our Enemies

Colossians 2 talks about what Jesus did on the cross. Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us, he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. The Bible frequently uses that language of legal indebtedness to talk about sin. I sinned against my ruler, so now I owe him a penalty.

We have enemies in the heavenly realms who point at us and say look what they did, God. They can never repay your debt. There is no way they can make up to you all the bad things they have done.

But Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities. He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. He took the record of your debt and all your mistakes, and he removed it. It is canceled. It is no longer relevant. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. It died on the cross with Jesus. Now the rulers and authorities have no voice. They get laughed out of town. Satan is the accuser, the one who stands up and points out all that we have done wrong. But now the enemies of God can do nothing to stop God's plans for his people because of the triumph on the cross. Because of Jesus's victory, our enemies are powerless to stop his good plans for us.

Reflection Questions:

  • When have I experienced God's provision during the deserts of life?

  • What is one thing in my life I feel like has stopped God's good plan?

  • When I face opposition or challenges, what would it look like for me to stop relying on myself and come to God's table?