Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…(Psalm 23:5 KJV)
In Pursuit of our God-Given Purpose, the adversary, the devil finds ways and means to “wound” us, with the intention of distracting and sidelining us. If that is not working, then he finds ways to obstruct us to slow us from walking into the path of the destiny God has for us. However, what he fails to recognize is that his tactics and schemes actually attract the attention of God to usher us into our greatness in Him. Thus, our greatest challenges become the most powerful tool in God’s hands to push us into our destiny while leaning on His everlasting arms of of His All-Sufficient Grace.
However, the issue is the ignorance of the believer; most of the time, we are not aware of the invisible war going on around us although the bible makes it very clear that we are at war. What do you do when it feels as if all hell is breaking loose on you and it seems as if daily obstacles and challenges are trying to bury you? The situation is so overwhelming it seems your very life is falling apart? How do you hold your head up high when in reality your whole body is holding you down? What do you do when your husband, the love of your life is requesting for divorce? Where do you ran to when your teenage child just fled from the house without your know about? Oh what about the incurable degenerative disease that is not only threatening your health but tat of your life? How do you pick the pieces together when the core of your life is literally broken and wounded?
The good news is that, there is hope! Even when it looks as if there is no way out, God still got you covered! But how, you may ask. The answer is in His word and Promises concerning us. Many of us are familiar with the 23 Psalms and in times of trouble and despair, there is the guarantee that we can always count on God’s word and promises when all fails.
The above scripture says He prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. In order to understand this scripture, you must understand a common practice of shepherds and their relationship with their sheep. A shepherd does not usually set up a table except on special cases. A table is always set up by a shepherd for a special kind of a sheep.
You must note that this “table” was essential to wounded or sick sheep. Healthy sheep did not care for ill sheep. At best, they would go over to the sick sheep and eat all the grace around it, leaving it with nothing. At best, they would hit the sick sheep in the behind, pushing it around, as in bullying, making it more vulnerable and in dangerous situation.
This is where the shepherd comes into the picture and intervenes by preparing a “table” for the sick sheep. The shepherd usually marks out an area about 20 feets (7 meters)x 15 feet (5 meters). He pusts his rod on one side and his staff on the other side. Then He lays down at the top of the protective rectangle after he had placed his cloak at the bottom.
No other sheep dared to cross over the rod, staff, cloak or the shepherd to eat any of the grass reserved for the sick sheep. In the presence of its enemies, the ill sheep now has a “table” to protect it. Likewise, it really does not matter right now what is keeping you victimized. Are you lost in the maze of finanicial ills, moral ills, social ill, economic ills, marital ills? Whatever the situation that wants to keep you wounded, it is to your advantage because it attracts the Shepherd of your Soul, Jesus Christ to your favor.
The next time you feel like sinking into frustration, anxiety, depression or misery due to life’s challenges, remember that GOD HAS GOT YOU COVERED!
Be lifted today as you pursue His divine Purpose for your life. It is well!
By Felicia Asomaning
