Be at Ease: Devotion for April 9, 2012

Be at Ease

Text: Psalm 23:5 – You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings (New Living Translation).

When the enemies lay siege on us, we will no longer be comfortable. We will be red alert, panicking and afraid because they may attack suddenly. However, a child of God, who knows the God he serves, this is never a problem. See Psalm 38:12 – 15.

Treasury of David Commentary says, “The good man has his enemies.  He would not be like his Lord if he had not.  If we were without enemies we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to God. Yet see the quietude of the godly man in spite of, and in the sight of, his enemies, he is calm.” 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. For Christians 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. 

When you have such confidence that pleases God, even in the presence of the enemies, you will relax knowing that God is with you (Psalm 16:8 and 46:1 - 5). Read also Exodus 14:13 and 14. What lesson is here for us? Do enemies surround you in your office, school, shop, etc? Do not be moved, relax and what He did for the Psalmist, He will do for you. By virtue of the new covenant, your head is anointed and your cup will overflow. Overflowing cup here means God has given you plentiful portion of blessings. So shall it be to you. 

A brother once told me why God should prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies is for them to pack out the plates when am through. So your enemies will honour you as Haman did for Mordecai. Please sing the Hymn Ancient and Modern 197 and learn from the wisdom of Sir H.W. Baker the composer of the Hymn.

Food For Thought: With the Lord beside you, whom will you fear (Ancient & Modern 197, stanza 2).  

Prayer Points:
1) Thank God for today’s word for you.
2) Pray that the plans of your enemies will not prosper.
3) God anoint and bless you to overflowing, and to shame of your enemies.