The walk through the valley of the shadow leads to the table prepared. The shepherd had to be careful in his selection of pasture, checking it against the likelihood of venomous snakes or the lairs of wild beasts. With pasture thus prepared, the sheep could graze in safety. The shepherd's presence was their guarantee.
The table prepared wasn't desert rations, but an ample supply of their needs. No doubt this might be an added reason for enemies to be lurking near.
Enemies? Who are they?
Abraham Lincoln was once taken to task for his attitude toward his enemies. "Why do you try to make friends of them?" an associate asked. "You should try to destroy them!"
"Am I not destroying my enemies," Lincoln gently replied, "when I make them my friends?"
The attitude of David to his personal enemies is striking. When Saul was pursuing him with murderous intent, David on two occasions (recorded in 1 Samuel 24 and 26) spared the life of his enemy. When news came of Saul's death (by his own hands, 1 Samuel 31), David mourned with all his men. An Amalekite who thought to gain David's favour by suggesting he had killed Saul gained his wrath instead (2 Samuel 1.10-16).
We find David, crowned king, looking for someone left of the house of Saul to whom he could show kindness "for Jonathan's sake" (2 Samuel 9.1). Jonathan's lame son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4.4), was brought in fear and trembling. How would he be treated by the one his grand-father had hated so much? Yet he was given his grandfather's lands and the privilege of always eating at the king's table (2 Samuel 9.9-10)!
But today's reading, as in the previous study, is set against the background of the hostility of his own son, Absolom. In the face of his son's deadly conspiracy, David was again on the run for his life.
Under this kind of pressure, David received the provision of food and other necessities. These practical gifts were part of God's generous provision - even when hard-pressed by enemies.
And what is his enemy? "Be gentle with the young man Absolom for my sake" (2 Samuel 18.5). When the excited messenger brought news of Absolom's death, David wasn't pleased. He was very sad - "O my son Absolom! My son, my son Absolom! If only I had died instead of you - O Absolom, my son, my son!" (v. 33)
How able are we to accept God's help and refreshment amid the difficulties of life and still retain care and compassion towards our enemies? It is said that David's grief was partly because of his failure in relation to this his son. But shouldn't this also cause all of us to be more tolerant and concerned about the needs of others?
Jesus taught us, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matthew 7.1). He made our willingness to forgive a condition of God's forgiving us (6.12,14,15), and therefore so essential in our relationship to the loving Father who provides our daily need.
| PRAYER: Too often, Father, you cannot prepare a table before me because I don’t love my enemies. Make me willing to forgive. Make me ready to receive your forgiveness. Let me know refreshment when the going is difficult. For the sake of Jesus, Amen. |
Though just for now
you will not come,
you will not share,
there is a place for you,
the meal is for you too!
Though just for now
you radiate
your fear and hate,
the shepherd cares for you,
his love is for you too!
Though just for now
your life must centre
on you alone,
one lived and died
whose love and life
were poured for you,
not just for me,
but for you too!
So live no longer
just for now.
Because he lives,
he calls –
come,
let us share together!