Safety is not the absence of danger, but the presence of Jesus.
Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
[We tend to think of peace as being the absence of any threat, but you give us a different perspective, Lord, one where your presence is enough to bring peace, no matter what may be threatening us.
In the picture you give us, you provide us with a sumptuous table set out on the lawn, decked out elegantly, filled with delicious food, ready for the guests. But, on the edges of the wide lawn are a roaring lion (fear), a growling bear (worry), a prowling tiger (greed), a slinking jaguar (lust) and a menacing rogue elephant (impatience) trumpeting his anger. The sight and sound of any one of these dangerous enemies is enough to strike fear in our hearts.
Yet there stands Jesus, calm, quiet and smiling. He calls us to the table and motions for us to sit down. The threatening roars and growls increase, but our enemies dare not come close when the All-Mighty Shepherd is there.
As we turn our focus to Him, the threat, the noise, the fear all fade. Peace comes because of His presence, contingent not on the absence of danger but on the absolute power of Christ. We eat in peace, enjoying His company, the conversation and the feast provided by His hand.
He could remove the enemies if he wanted, but as we live in a fallen world, he allows Satan and his cohorts to exist, for he uses them to accomplish his purposes of bringing all who are willing into the Kingdom, of maturing His children, of giving us opportunity to live out the Truths of His Word. We are safe, in spite of the presence of danger.
Lord help me today to live in the power of your presence, ignoring the threats of the enemy, focusing instead on you, on Truth, on your might, on your beautiful character, on your being the One in control, the One who has a plan, who will carry it out in faithfulness and power, and on the fact of your continual abundant provision. Praise be to you, our Conqueror, our Protector and our Provider.]
