Jan 12 – IN THE PRESENCE OF ENEMIES!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (Psalm 23:5).

Whenever you see the enemy, keep it in your remembrance that God has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies.

David had numerous enemies. In the beginning, David might have worried a lot because of them. But in the end, in proportion to the same extent of reproach he suffered, he got blessed. When David’s brothers turned as enemies to him, God exalted David as king before them.

My father became a fulltime servant of God after serving the Government for sixteen years. He thought that many people in the evangelical arena would come and embrace, counsel and encourage him. But, instead, many people were jealous of his spiritual growth and envied him. One writer wrote scurrilously, and some others made use of all their writing skills in accusing and defaming him.

But, while these people went on tarnishing the image of my father, God kept on exalting him in the ministry. Every time God prepared a table for him in front of his enemies. God anointed his head with oil, and liberally gave him the gifts and powers of the Spirit. Whenever such people wrote defaming him, my father eagerly expected with his eyes of faith, the glorious table which God had arranged for him. He also received it every time.

The children of Israel were chased up to the Red Sea by the Egyptians who were their enemies. God had permitted them to that extent. The enemies were so happy in chasing, reproaching and mocking the children of Israel. In the end, one day, God toppled them in the Red Sea. From that day onwards, God began to pour manna from heaven and prepared a special table for the Israelites.

Dear children of God, you may be walking in a path filled with reproach and shame. There may be numerous enemies for you. Do not worry. God will surely arrange a table for you in the presence of your enemies.           

To meditate: “The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty!Your enemies shall submit to you and you shall tread down their high places” (Deuteronomy 33:29).