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Psalm 23 Part 7

Psalm 23:5, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies..."


I don't think there can be a more striking picture of contrast than this verse:You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. This means peace in the midst of terror, love in the midst of hate, rest in the midst of turmoil, a feast in the presence of my enemies. This kind of peace doesn't come to the 'casual oberserver' of Christ; it is found in intimacy with Christ. For those who truly learn to walk united with Christ, there is a joy unspeakable, a peace that's not understandable that rules the heart. And it all starts at a table.

How many times in scripture do we find Jesus sharing at a table with his disciples? I'm sure we could go through and count many times where he is literally eating supper or breakfast with his boys. One account is found in John 5. Jesus prepared one of the biggest meals of his life - a meal that fed at least 5,000 people including his disciples! But in John 6, Jesus gave us some insight into the truly biggest meal he offers AND how often he prepares a table. Jesus declared these truths:

I am the bread of life...

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever and the bread that I shall give is my flesh....

Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you...

My flesh is food indeed and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.

Jesus had just prepared a literal meal that fed 5,000 plus people, but the biggest meal he would offer was soon to come. He would offer up his bread and his wine and die on the cross for ALL mankind...not simply 5,000. Although he spoke mysteries to the people listening that day, Jesus was giving them a key that unlocked an Old Testament picture. He was inviting them to the table of His Presence. This is what the table was called in the tabernacle of Moses, the table where the bread was laid. The bread was called Showbread or Shewbread. This word can be interpreted 'Face Bread' because this table is where the priests would come and eat and meet with God face to face. This was always God's intention - for man to meet with him in fellowship. When Jesus died and rose again, when He sent his Spirit to dwell eternally in us, he made the way for us to fellowship with God face to face each and every day. Beloved, it is no small thing. In fact, Jesus said in John 6 that it is LIFE to feast on Him. There is no LIFE apart from feeding on him and with Him each day. Fellowship at the table is vital for living, and I'm not simply speaking of the born-again experience; that's just the beginning. The Spirit-led life is found at the table of His Presence. If we understand the power of fellowshipping with Him, we'll understand that even in the presence of our enemies, we can feast on peace, on love, on joy...because even then? We are never apart from Life.

One of the greatest revelations that Jesus has ever shared with me was about the table of his Presence. I was journaling with Him on Easter Sunday, putting myself into the scenes that unfolded that day, when he spoke this great revelation to my heart. Jesus began to speak to me about the Road to Emmaus account found in Luke 24:13-35. Jesus spoke to them on the road, revealing truth upon truth from the whole of scripture! Can you imagine? JESUS teaching you the ENTIRE BIBLE?? Wow! But still, their eyes were not opened to see Him for who he really was. The truth alone did not open their eyes...the place of His intimate presence did! Below is the account of what Jesus shared with me:





We are walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus…I see us walking. How they do not see you as you, Jesus, is mind boggling.

Their eyes were blinded by unbelief, child. But I would take care of that! J

Yes! You did! Lol

In this place of intimacy, I broke the bread. I looked them in the eye in a way that spoke spirit to spirit, soul to soul…it was in the breaking of bread, of fellowship with me that their eyes were open. All of the revelation I just shared with them [on the road, teaching], all of it could have been forgotten without the experience of looking into my eyes at the table. All of the information they learned, though it was truth, could have been forgotten if it had not been for the table. The table of my presence…of one on one, hand to hand fellowship…just resting, just relaxing, just intimately being acquainted in letting ME serve them in humility. Child, this place [the table] paved the way for all that I had shared with them [on the road] to come alive. This place is what lit the fire of the kindled match inside of them. Truth became revelation only as they sat with me in intimacy; only as they looked me in the eye, not seeking information, but seeking fellowship and feasting. Do not ever take lightly the power that is ignited in the place of intimacy. This is why I will prepare a table even in the presence of your enemies…because it is HERE where power is ignited…where presence is born…apart from rules and regulations…apart from duty and drive. Here presence gives way to the truth.




Then, the Lord took me to another table that was found at His resurrection - Luke 24:36-43.




Lord, I see you coming now to the disciples in their hidden room. You didn’t’ bring condemnation. It’s like instead, by way of revealing yourself, you just brought Hope…Belief…and Love…I guess the 3 things that remain after your resurrection! Faith, hope, and love! This is how you corrected their unbelief! You let them draw close and touch you. You came to where they are, on their level, yet as the unchanging God. It’s so beautiful. That’s amazing.

Child, I correct unbelief by awakening belief in you. But this is where the table comes into play…the closeness. Truth will never be awakened to revelation apart from this close connection. Even if I had let them see me from afar, they would have eventually doubted. But because I came to them where they were, and allowed them to touch me and eat with me and speak with me as before…in friendship…they would never doubt. The place of intimacy, once again, awakened them to belief…to belief of everything I had already said to them.

Just like the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus! It’s the same.

Yes, child, it is.





Beloved ones, we were never meant to simply be filled up with truth. All truth is meant to lead you to experience Him. Even as Jesus filled the jars up with water at the wedding in Cana, but then turned the water to wine, so Jesus always desires to fill us up with His word in order to fill us up with His Spirit. Truth AND Revelation. The washing of the water of the word is VITAL for our life and our sanctification but so is receiving revelation in His Presence. He desires for us to KNOW him with our heart and to touch him with our hands. So what are we waiting for? The table is spread! Let's feast on Him today!

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