Escapism is a mental exercise that we have all, at one time or another, considered a viable option…for those of us who have traveled that route, we ultimately realize it is not! Escape fantasies have performed three act plays in our minds almost to the point of reality; visualizing the destruction of ‘the enemy’ is a favorite scene stealer. With the thought that the removal of the ‘thing’ will bring us peace at last, our attention and energy are focused and depleted on the wrong goal. Enemies will continue to come and go but the Word of God stands forever faithful in our midst.
The plan of the Lord is not always the ‘removal’ of the thing but rather ‘provision’ in spite of the thing! No Psalm better emphasizes this truth than David’s Psalm, number 23.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This Psalm reminds me that regardless of life’s circumstances, like…. walking through the valley of the shadow of death…
He is my Shepherd, He leads, He restores, He removes fear, He is with me, He comforts, He anoints, and the truth that speaks to me today the most; He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies!!! He doesn’t have to remove ‘the thing’…He is not intimidated by ‘the thing’…His provision for me is in the very midst of my enemies!
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. (The Message)
Remember the old song we use to sing at church family covered dishes? “Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine”; You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time; He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, “Come and dine.”
The enemies of 2010 may try to follow you in to 2011…not to worry…your table is prepared … ‘come and dine!’
thank you for this Mrs. Bozarth. What a timely read! Wow: despite my ‘enemies’ He prepares a table for me… Thank you for the encouragement!