The Peace of His Presence

Preparation in our house for Christmas dinner was a BIG deal. All the silver only used once a year required lots of polishing: the special sugar spoon, the special iced tea spoons, the butter dish, and all the silver serving pieces.

Dirty from sitting in the drawer unused, it would be laid out, and my sisters and I would polish it all. Our clothes grew dirty as we removed the accumulation of tarnish caused by the West Texas air.

With a renewed luster, our shiny silver adorned the table beside our best china. The light from the candles would add just the right touch to the table filled with our Christmas feast.
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We weren’t surrounded by any enemies but we knew the feeling of being seated at a prepared table. In Psalm 23, David gives us a vivid picture of God as our Shepherd. Can you see the table prepared by God? The same God who led the Israelites with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night (Exod.13:21-22) provided for David in the middle of a time of turmoil.

David had been pursued through the valley, and God had set a table before him. Surrounded by his enemies, seated at the table God prepared for him, David is at peace.
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David, the shepherd king, points us to Jesus. In John 10:14, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. One who will lay down his life for his sheep. At the end of Jesus' ministry, we read about another table; a table prepared for His disciples. As Jesus washed his disciples feet, as he lifted the cup of salvation, as He broke bread, He sat in the presence of his enemy. Jesus knew. Yet he still sat at the table. He still washed the feet of Judas. In the presence of his enemies, He was at peace.

As we sit at the table prepared for us, we too have an enemy bent on division and destruction. The good news, friends, is that Jesus not only prepares a table for us, He also gives us the gift of His very presence. In His presence there is protection and peace, even as we are surrounded.

The table is set, friends. All we have to do is pull up a chair. There, every provision is met, and we can commune with our Shepherd Savior.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23:5a

About the Author

Hi, I'm Nancy Ehlinger. I live with my husband, Roderick, in North Florida close to a beautiful beach which is my happy place. We have five children, eight grandchildren, a dog, a bird, and a bearded dragon. I am passionate about equipping women to live life on mission. Connect with me at nancyehlinger.wordpress.com.