God prepares tables for his children in the presence of their enemies. We can sympathize with someone who is caught off guard by this. That phrase from David’s psalm certainly has a ring to it. But it is quite a line when you really take it in. What human would truly opt for dinner in the presence of his enemies over dinner far far away from his enemies?

Nevertheless, God makes better meals that we do. And He knows what He’s doing with the context of this meal. Our Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper and sat down to eat and drink with his disciples when He was literally surrounded by enemies who not only wanted to kill Him, but would do so in only a few hours. 

He was not terrified by His adversaries. He was not terrified by adversity either. He wasn’t too anxious to eat.  We have been. And this is just another testimony to the fact that we are not Jesus. 

But, we belong to this Jesus. And this Christ belongs to us. He is always giving Himself to us, strengthening us even in this life so that we find more and more of His Spirit at work in our lives. 

As you come to this table, your own crosses await you just like Christ’s did Him. And you must come to eat and drink. But this is not merely a matter of a Father telling you that you must sit through a boring meal and finish your food. You sit at table with joy Himself. He has prepared this table for you in the presence of your enemies. And He gives you His very self here. He smiles at you saying, “Yes, we will rise to go to adversity. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.