A little food for weekend thought:
The other day, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing Lt. Carey Cash share his remarkable testimony of serving as a a chaplain with the U.S. marines. In particular, he told of how his Marine battalion experienced the supernatural grace of God amidst the chaos and violence of the invasion of Baghdad in 2003 at the outset of the war in Iraq. But what especially struck me was the source for the name of his book, A Table in the Presence--based on King David's Psalm 23.
Here are his words regarding the moment his battalion learned the invasion of Baghdad would be that night and he was asked to say a hurried prayer:
"After all the training, all the physical conditioning hikes, all the strategy sessions, all the intelligence briefs, all the live-fire rifle ranges, it had come to this--a decisive moment and a sincere prayer. We stood together in a circle, asking God for help, for strength, and for courage. As we bowed together...the ancient words of a familiar psalm came flooding into my mind:
'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' (Ps.23:4-6)
The 'table' that David spoke about, the 'table' that David longed for in the presence of his enemies, was the table of God's presence. It amounted to a feast of spiritual strength and friendship that no degree of danger and no amount of evil could infringe upon. C.H. Spurgeon said it best 150 years ago-
'When a soldier is in the presence of his enemies, if he eats at all, he snatches a hasty meal, and away he hastens to the fight. But observe: 'Thou preparest a table,' just a servant does when she unfolds...the cloth and displays the ornaments of a feast on an ordinary peaceful occasion. Nothing is hurried; there is no confusion, no disturbance, the enemy is at the door, and yet God prepares a table, and the Christian sits down and eats as if everything were in perfect peace. Oh! the peace which Jehovah gives to His people, even in the midst of the most trying circumstances!'
In the quiet moments that followed our prayer together, I was reminded, by a voice too deep for words, that we were not alone. Even though we were facing great danger, even though we were about to face our enemies head-on, even though there would be desperate and agonizing hours ahead for all of us, God would be there with us."
Amen! (And by the way, Cash's book is really worth reading!) Being a very slow learner, I had never before thought specifically about King David's words here--that God was preparing a table right there in the very presence of his enemies. This would be a table of blessing, sustenance, comfort, and peace.
How is that possible? How is it possible to sit down and enjoy a feast when you are surrounded by overwhelming enemies? Yet with God all things are possible...and not just possible but promised. God assures, God promises us that even in the darkest of our days--when disease terrorizes or despair threatens or fear stalks or finances fail--God is not only with us, but He is for us. The God of the universe is for us, and he will strengthen, sustain, and support us right there, right in the belly of the beast.
Isn't it in those moments of greatest need where all about us seems dark that God's supernatural Light shines brightest? Yes, a thousand times yes, for we've experienced in our lives! In those times when our "enemies"--whether disease or defeat or discouragement or whatever--seem to have us surrounded, the Lord is with us, preparing that feast. He will somehow bringing blessing out of blackness, hope out of despair, and joy out of sorrow.
Only God. Only our God. And He is able...a thousand times over. (Ephesians 3:20)
Even now, whatever your Baghdad...whatever your enemies...He is preparing that table for you. He's promised to dine with you in fellowship and to deliver you for your good and His glory. Remember, right this moment, He is working to bring you "goodness and love" even in the presence of your enemies. You are never forsaken and never alone.
Thank You, Father, for Your promises. Thank You for Your presence. And thank You for Your perfect peace as we dine with You even in the presence of our enemies. You are infinitely greater.
To God be the glory.
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