Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies Psalm 23:5a
The sheep are safely wondering in the fold, when up to the fence prowls a pack of hungry wolves. They dig at the fence desperately trying to make a way to the tender sheep. They make a terrible ruckus as they howl and growl. The sheep are in panache; where is the Shepherd? A moment ago He was here and now they cannot see Him. He must have ran off, maybe He is asleep and He does not see the danger. It is only a matter of time before the wolves break through and sheep will be lost. The sheep continue to quake in fear as the wolves carry on their prowling around and scratching at the fence.
Then out walks the Shepherd. He pays the wolves no mind; He built the fence and He knows the wolves haven’t a chance of breaking through. Even if they did, He has never let the sheep out of His sight and He is swift with His rod! The Shepherd walks to the water trough and fills it carefully. Then He takes his bag from off His shoulder and lays out hay and grains. All the while the wolves are stirring up dust around the fold; they seem to go unnoticed by the Shepherd. When He is done He calls His sheep and they come running to feast. As they eat, He turns to the wolves, glaring into their hungry eyes and lifts His rod. Some have felt the power of its blow before and they run off with a whimper. The rest soon follow tired of watching the sheep feast while they quarrel hungrily on.
Sometimes life brings us a lot of bad situations. It seems like no matter which way we turn or how hard we try something is going wrong. You have heard the old saying “when it rains, it pours”, my mom would always add, “and it floods at our house!”. It is in these deep, dark times that we tend to feel like we have been forgotten, disowned by the Shepherd. However in these tough times the Shepherd is preparing a table of goodness for us. His eyes are always upon us and He is always in complete control. He has good plans for us and despite the enemies camped about us set on our destruction, He has prepared us a banquet. When it is time to feast our enemies will have no choice but to sit and watch jealously or turn tail and run.
Hold steadfast to Christ. Although your situation may feel like you are trapped and certain to fall to your enemies, He is there making sure that everything works together for your good and His glory.
