“We live in a hostile environment.” I drafted that sentence a week ago, before the assassination attempt. I was thinking about hostilities toward Biblical thought and aggressions against Christians and Christianity. I was fed up with the negativity of politics, on all sides. And then bullets were shot on a beautiful Saturday afternoon that took the life of a husband and father. I could easily be detracted from Psalm 23 and go off on who really pulled the trigger—whose words provided the ammunition for that fatal shot? But I will not go there. It’s a big story now, but it will fade, whereas the presence of our spiritual enemies will remain a constant.
Our enemies are not weaponized with physical bullets. They deliver spiritual attacks on our person, our minds, our psyche. They besiege us with thoughts that sow fear and suggestions that incite anger. They aim at our faith and attempt to render us ineffective. In this setting Psalm 23:5 offers us assurance:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
He makes provision for us. He feeds us what is needed to prevail. He sets us apart. We are able to overcome because our supply overflows.
Do not wander from the Shepherd or His flock. We need His care and protection and we need the flock.
Photo by Sally Teschon
Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart
BARBARA HIGBY 
It’s still so interesting that the bullet missed him. I definitely agree with what you’re saying. I’m reading Daniel, and God is so capable! There is not one single thing that isn’t under His control, and we can feel so safe!! And like Daniel’s 3 friends said…. ” He is able, but even if He doesn’t………. ” He is and always will be our strong and mighty and worthy God! I know this election is in His hands, and if worse comes to worse, then it’s because God allowed it. For our good.
There’s no doubt that America has sinned greatly, and God doesn’t let sin go unpunished. I pray that all Christians everywhere are imploring God for His forgiveness, interception and grace!
His name is LOVE, and He is forgiving and will restore, but only when we turn to him in repentance.
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One more thought. I think of “kings” as “presidents”. God helped Daniel and his friends because they acknowledged God as the ONLY, ONE, TRUE God and would bow to no other god. Praying for the day that the United States bows their knees in union to the ONE TRUE GOD.
Yes, our cup overflows with His blessings as we walk with Him and talk with Him.
We experience His grace and protection, and always His presence no matter what we go through. He’s been there before us.
A minister likened that once to a night when his headlights failed. A car went before him to shine their lights. A car went behind him to protect him from behind. And that’s how God is. Before, behind, and all around.
We don’t know what the future is, but we rest in the fact that the One who loves us to pieces knows. 🙂
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Thanks, Jan. Well said!
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