Snacking In Front Of The Enemy

I was in a Sunday school class and we were discussing Psalms 23. We came to verse 5 which reads “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” and someone shared: “When I read this verse, I think about how God protects me so well that I am often just chilling and enjoying a snack right in front of the enemy.” It was a “mic drop” moment for everyone around the table. We all laughed as our imagination conjured up unique pictures of this scene! A few days later when I was having my quiet time, I was reading out of Deuteronomy 28 about the difference between living under the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience, and God reminded me of this idea of snacking in front of the enemy.

You see, in yesterday’s devotional, we discussed the blessings of obedience. If the blessings aren’t enough to convince us to live in obedience, God further encourages our obedience by warning us about the SLAVERY of disobedience. Honestly, when we understand the power of our enemy, disobedience should truly scare us! The Bible says:

“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your ENEMIES, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of EVERYTHING; and He will put a YOKE of IRON on your neck until He has destroyed you.”

Deuteronomy 28:47-48

Are you serving your enemy? Slavery is no joke.

Our three enemies desire only abject misery for us! Our enemy, the devil, experienced the pleasure of God before he was cast out of heaven and he also knows the power of God. He knows the blessings of obedience and he wants us to be so deceived that we NEVER experience them! For those who trust God, He gives us rest even in the face of the worst enemies:

“You [God] prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”  

Psalms 23:5

I don’t know about you, but my sense of humor is tickled by the thought of being able to enjoy a casual snack or meal while the enemy roars all around me. What an immense picture of the sense of security God gives us when we are found living in obedience to Him! When we trust Him as the highly capable Shepherd of our heart and the Provider for each of our greatest desires, we find inexplicable peace EVEN in the face of our worst enemies. 

When we are living in God’s will, we are safer snacking at a picnic table in sight of the enemy, than we would be if we chose to be living in disobedience within the greatest fortress and armed with the most powerful of weapons.

My friend, after we receive God’s gift of salvation, we are made ALIVE in CHRIST. Our life is hidden in Him. The Bible encourages us to:

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:2-3

When we live according to God’s will, we don’t randomly forget Who we belong to and—Who protects us. But when we get “too big for our britches” and think that we can do everything on our own, that is when we should be afraid. Alone, we are no match for our enemy. God wants to be our shield and salvation. Yield. Give Him your whole heart, soul, and mind!

Fall into loving obedience with God and let Him lead you on a path of remarkable peace!

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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