“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” (Psalm 23:4-5 NLT)
A field of battle seems hardly the place for a banquet, but as I consider that life as a believer is war, what better place for God to usher us into a feast of His holy presence. When would be a better time or place than when we’re in the midst of battle?
We don’t always tend to think of it in these terms, but when are we most vulnerable, most helpless, most in need of a touch from God? Not when we’re on the proverbial “mountain top.” Not when things are good, and God seems close, and faith comes easy. No! It’s when are heads are down, our defenses seem absent, when our spirit is dying for a drink of living water, in the midst of our darkest nights and most difficult battles.
Pastor Rick Warren wrote: “It takes a lot of faith and humility to trust God and rest when you’re under attack, when you’re misunderstood, and when rumors are spreading about you. When that happens, everything in you wants to rise up and do something about it. How do you handle people who attack you? You don’t. You let God handle them. Trust God to be your defender. Not only does God want to defend you, but he also wants to fellowship with you: ‘You’ll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration’ (Psalm 5:11 The Message). Both Psalm 23 and Psalm 5 paint the picture of a banquet, or a party, at an unlikely time—not just when good times are happening but when you’re under attack.”
The Lord’s presence is most appreciated and welcomed when we’re most in need. When the odds against us are stacked in Satan’s favor, what a joyful sight when King Jesus bursts onto the scene. Discouragement is a near constant companion when trials are weighing us down. Our hunger for God is great, while in our hearts He can seem light years away.
How precious and welcomed when He comes at just the right time and spreads a banquet table before us with all the delicacies of His eternal presence. We may not be consciously aware, especially in seasons of loss or deep sadness, but the greatest gift God can ever give us is the gift of Himself.
Because I’m subject to depression and have physical issues that can manifest in the most unwelcome moments, I never know how I’ll feel from day to day, even moment to moment. My head can begin to spin without warning, leaving me in bed, unable to care for myself. The Lord is teaching me that those can actually be precious times when He comes to “prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.”
It’s not a literal feast of food, because when I’m in those difficult times food is furthest from my mind. It’s the life sustaining, spirit lifting, soul stirring privilege of His living presence that lifts me to the banquet hall of closeness to Him that I can’t experience in any other way. I’m learning in this season of my life that nothing is as satisfying as intimacy with Jesus.
There’s nothing this world has to offer that compares with knowing my sins are forgiven and realizing that when I close my eyes in death, I will have never been more alive.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! You are welcome to His banquet table any place, any time!
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 