Winston Churchill once said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” Some might claim they have no enemies but the reality is everyone has enemies. Scriptures uses the word enemy 334 times. In the Old Testament, the word means adversary, distress, oppress, enemy. In the New Testament, the word simply means someone who hates you. Of course, Satan is the ultimate enemy, but he works through people, groups of people, nations, etc. Increasingly, we witness the manifestations of hate among people who make enemies of those they misunderstand, those who are different and those they are unable to control. Gangs are enemies of other gangs, one race or ethnic group becomes the enemy of another group, some view law enforcement as their enemy, and religious groups are enemies of all other religious groups. One of the great enemies the world is facing today is terrorists that view every individual not agreeing with their radical religious beliefs as their enemy.
Jesus warned that the unbelieving world would hate all who follow Him; in other words, they view Christians as enemies. You will be hated by all because of My name (Luk 21:17). “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Mat 24:9). He added that in the last days hatred and violence between enemies would become so great that people would faint from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world (Luk 21:26). The word faint means heart failure. Elisha’s servant went out one morning and saw the enemy had surrounded the city with horses and chariots and a great army, and he panicked, “Alas, my master! What shall we do” (2 Kings 6:15)? Elisha calmly reassured him everything would be okay and asked the Lord to open his eyes to the spiritual realm. Then the servant saw God’s angels outnumbered the enemy. He saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). This is no less true for us today in our chaotic world and as more and more enemies surround us; God’s army is far greater.
Psalm 23 has been my guide and comfort for the past five years. Last week the Holy Spirit opened up verse five in a new way. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I’ve read this Psalm hundreds of times and know it by heart. Yet, I began understanding how it applied to me at this particular time in my life. Note several lessons. God did not destroy the enemies nor did He chase them away. When the Spirit inspired David to write this Psalm, the Lord knew man’s enemies would still be around for thousand years. If we wait for our enemies to be gone, we would never enjoy the table of God’s blessing. The Contemporary English Version translates this, “You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.” Focusing on our enemies will rob us of our joy, peace, and fruitfulness. Jesus said the cares of this world, including worry about our enemies, will choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
It is important that we remember God prepares the table. Too often, we are trying to prepare our own table and can miss the table God has prepared. Thirty years ago, I became overwhelmed with ministry and the Spirit led me to this verse. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare (Isaiah 55:2 NIV). I realized I was spending my valuables and energy setting a table with what I wanted. Martha was worried and bothered about all the work she was doing preparing a meal for Jesus. She didn’t realize a table had already been prepared and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus enjoying a feast. When she complained about her sister Jesus rebuked Martha telling her only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42).
The essential lesson—we must choose to come and eat at His table. In verse two, David says He makes me lie down in green pastures. God prepares the table, but He doesn’t make us sit and enjoy the feast. Jesus told a parable of a man who prepared a big dinner and invited many. However, people begin giving excuses; I bought a piece of land, I have five new yoke of oxen, and I just got married; all refused the invitation. The question we must ask ourselves, what keeps me away from the table He has prepared? Many things can but the emphasis of this lesson is the enemies around us—enemies of the world and our own personal enemies. Remember Elisha’s response, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). Pray God would open your eyes to the spiritual realm. Stop focusing on the enemy. There will always be enemies in this life. God prepared the table and He guards the table so we can feast while my enemies watch.
Sustaining Word for the Week: A feast is for waiting you. Stop allowing your enemies to intimidate you and keep you from enjoying God’s blessings.