A Perfect Picnic

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…

Psalm 23:5a

We live in an age of all manner of eating problems, many which are brought on by stress.  Anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, ulcers, indigestion, etc. plague our society. Food is meant to nourish and sustain us, not to make us ill. When we are at peace, we generally eat healthier foods in the proper proportions.

Jesus wants to give us perfect peace. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23:5a). Can’t you just see Jesus standing guard over us with His mighty arms crossed and a look on His face that says, “Just try it!” as our enemies cower into the shadows? With our Great Shepherd watching, what do we have to fear? We are free to rest, eat slowly, and know we are protected.

Our enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy everything with which our Father desires to bless us. But praise God! Jesus came to give us life! Not just mediocre life, but superabundant and overflowing life! According to Psalm 23:5, my cup overflows! Hallelujah! Jesus didn’t suffer and die to give us meager portions. He wants to bless us so much that we won’t be able to hold it all!

You may be going through the toughest season of your life at the moment. You may be wondering if Jesus can protect you from your enemies. In the last days, Jesus will defeat the armies of the nations that come against Him with a word. Did you catch that? With one tiny word! Now that’s power!

Not only will He protect us. He wants us to experience His peace and provision in the midst of the craziness. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. There it is again.  Stillness, peace. That is our job. To trust in our Shepherd’s ability. Peace will follow. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them (Psalm 34:7).  Trust Him!  He is true to His word.

Terri