After living and traveling in British oriented cultures for many years, I thought I understood the importance of ‘tea-time’. That was until we were on a safari along with five British individuals. We were riding in a Land Rover on elevated bench seats enjoying the landscape and the variety of animals. Then our guide spotted a herd of female elephants and their calves. He headed toward them, drove the Land Rover within two-hundred feet, and stopped. I was a bit uncomfortable this close knowing the reputation of these defensive mothers, but he was an experienced guide. Then someone looked at their watch and said, “It’s tea-time.” I thought for sure we would head back to the safety of the lodge. Oh no! He switched off the vehicle, told everyone to get out—“just do not make any sudden moves”—, lowered the tailgate, and pulled out thermos bottles filled with hot tea. For the next fifteen minutes, we ate our biscuits (cookies to us Americans) and drank our tea—all within the presence of these massive cow elephants with their calves.
I was reminded of this incident as I continued my study in Psalm 23 and came to verse 5; You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. David could have left out, in the presence of my enemies and the Psalms would still have great significance. However, David deliberately takes the meaning to another level of trust in the Shepherd. When we have complete trust and faith in God, we can relax and enjoy life even when we think we should be trembling and running away.
Phillip Keller in his classic book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” says the word table not only means feast, but also refers to tableland or mesa, a flat-topped plateau high in the mountains. It provided the best spring grazing for sheep. Prior to the shepherd leading his sheep there, he would go ahead and prepare the pasture. He would decide the best place to camp, pull up the poisonous weeds, and deposit minerals and salt in strategic places for the sheep to find. He would also scout out the area for signs of wolves, leopards, bears, and lions while searching for the safest place to graze and bed down his flock. Obviously, he could not eliminate all these predators as he did with the poisonous weeds but with his knowledge of what dangers were there, he prepared for any kind of attack.
Would it not be nice to look around and all our enemies were destroyed and gone? When enemies are around us, the potential of threat is always there. God only drove out Israel’s enemies little by little otherwise, the wild animals would have become too numerous (Deut. 7:22). However, He promised to protect Israel if they trusted Him. God also uses our enemies to challenge us and see if our faith has matured enough to rest in His promises. This helps us see where we are weak and need to grow in our faith towards God.
Satan can keep us in bondage with the fear of our enemies to the point we do not enjoy what God has given us. Our Shepherd, Jesus is not only preparing a place in heaven for us; He has gone ahead to tomorrow, next month, and next year and prepared feasting tables for us. Yes, we will still have enemies tomorrow. Every day, we have a choice to make; will I feast today at the table He has prepared for me, or will I cower in fear of my enemies?
I was uncomfortable so near a herd of potentially dangerous elephants. I could have allowed my thoughts to escalate into pure terror. However, I knew Rob our guide, a dedicated Christian, had been doing this for twenty-five years. Instead of fear, I chose to trust his judgment, relaxed, and enjoyed my tea and biscuit. This is the attitude our Guide and Shepherd wants us to have in the presence of our enemies. And remember He does not have just tea and cookies; He has prepared a table or feast for us, and not in heaven someday, but every day that we will trust Him.
What are the enemies in your presence? Only you know that answer because my enemies and your enemies are probably not the same. It is not necessarily other people. Anything we fear is an enemy. What kind of table does He prepare for you each day? First, look at what God has already given you—your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, friends, your job, your ministry, or just time with Jesus studying His word and praying. Plus, do not let your enemies blind you with fear and miss the new feasts God will prepare. Trust the Shepherd to take care of your enemies and enjoy the table He prepares for us each day.
We are all tempted to panic in the presence of our enemies. I had a Bible professor who repeatedly gave this illustration. Temptation is not sin. It is like a bird landing on our head, which we can shoo away. But we do not have to allow the bird to build a nest, lay her eggs, and raise its chicks. When you are tempted to fear because of your enemies, shoo them away. I have learned through the years a powerful weapon against Satan is to shoo away his effort and then simply ignore him. Let him shout threats all he wants. Relax and enjoy the table He has prepared. He knows the dangers and He is prepared for any kind of attack.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
It’s feast time. Trust your Guide and Shepherd, relax, and enjoy your life this week.