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His Provision on Life’s Tablelands
Ideally, the grazing area will be flat, a mesa or tableland. Constant vigilance is necessary on the tablelands because predators and other dangers are never far away. The shepherd searches for poisonous plants and ample water. He looks for signs of wolves, coyotes, and bears.
The key idea behind Psalm 23:5 is God’s protection of His flock. We have three kinds of enemies in this world:
- National Enemies: Whatever passport you hold, your nation has enemies who would like to defeat you.
- Personal Enemies: Personal “enemies” are people we don’t get along with, for whatever reason. Not all criticism of us is unfounded, as we’ve all made our share of mistakes.
3. Demonic Enemies: The Bible consistently warns of our unseen foe who would like to ruin each of us. Satan seeks to destroy us, and his demonic hosts are more dangerous than we may realize. The Bible says, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Crafty ones are up on the rimrock watching every movement the sheep make, hoping for a chance to make a swift, sneaking attack that will stampede the sheep. The picture here is full of drama, action, suspense—and possible death. Only the alertness of the shepherd who tends his flock on the tableland in full view of possible enemies can prevent them from falling prey to attack. It is only his preparation for such an eventuality that can possibly save these sheep from being slaughtered and panicked by their predators.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us the provisions of safety and victory on life’s tableland. Because of Him, we can live on the heights without fear. He spreads a table for us in the presence of our enemies.
Through the Lord’s Supper, Jesus prepares a table for us. Jesus issued a tender reminder as he passed the cup, “Every one of you drink this. This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins” (Matthew 26:27-28). “Every one of you drink this.” Those who feel unworthy, drink this. Those who feel ashamed, drink this. Those who feel embarrassed, drink this. It’s good to be at the Lord’s Table!
Like sheep, and especially lambs, we somehow feel that we have to try everything that comes our way. And we may very well know that some things are deadly. They can do us no good. They can be most destructive. Still somehow we give them a whirl anyway.
The Lord is able to protect us throughout life and eternity; and His protective watch-care is part of His tending ministry. He keeps us safe in His hands.
Our Good Shepherd is going ahead of us in every situation, anticipating what danger we may encounter, and praying for us that in it we may not succumb.
Jesus Christ understands us; He has totally identified Himself with humanity. He has, therefore, a care and compassion for us beyond our ability to grasp. No wonder He makes every possible provision to ensure that when we have to cope with Satan, sin, or self, the contest will not be one-sided.
The Christian walk can become a mountaintop experience—a tableland trip—simply because we are in the care and control of Christ, who has been overall this territory before us and prepared the “table” for us in plain view of our enemies who would demoralize and destroy us if they could.
