Psalm 23:5 ~ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
If you have had to wait a long time to be seated at one of your favorite restaurants, you have enjoyed hearing the host finally say, “Your table is ready.” By the same token, if you have been experiencing life challenges, those times, in which you have to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” there is comfort in knowing that God has prepared a table for you. And it’s not just any table. God has prepared a table in the presence of our enemies. When we stick close to God and trust Him, he will uses our situation to show our enemies His love and glory. That is why we are encouraged to wait well. What does “wait well” mean? It means that while we are going through challenges we are to respond as James instructs in James 1:2-4 (NASB).
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurances. And let endurance have its perfect results, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I will be the first to admit that I often struggle with waiting well – anxiousness and worry will find ways to creep in. I am learning to better recognize when that is happening and I combat it by praying, listening to praise music or sermons, or reading uplifting messages or books. That helps to bring my focus back on my God versus my problem.
While God is preparing the table in the presence of our enemies; we need to prepare ourselves to sit there. We need to prepare ourselves for the overflow of blessings that God has promised on the other side of our struggle – remember He promised to anoint our head with oil and that our cup would run over. We prepare ourselves by trusting God. We learn to trust God by studying His word, and looking back on the things He has already done for us. I know for me, He has brought me through too much already to just leave me in the hands of the enemies. God has a good plan for each for us. These trials and challenges are all a part of the preparation. He has a purpose for us. When we wait well and then when it is time to move, we move in obedience to God’s instruction; we ensure that God is glorified.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for preparing a table for us in the presence of our enemies. We pray that as we endure the trials in front of us that we do so in a way that honors and glorifies You. We pray that our trust in You will be strengthen and visible to others, so that there is no doubt of Who provided the overflow of blessings. Amen.
Purpose in Action: What are you doing to prepare yourself to sit at the table that God has prepared for you? Are you waiting well?
For His Purpose,
LiKeisha Mills
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