Life on a Higher Plane
Live on a higher plane than you have ever known before. You can live in the light in the middle of the fight if you learn to focus on your Shepherd.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Psalm 23:5.
Prepare
The Hebrew verb for prepare in this verse is in the imperfect tense or ongoing, habitual, or incomplete action. God is not preparing a table for us once or sometime in the future; the idea is that He is continually preparing us a table. Even in the middle of your worst nightmare, He is there with you, caring for you and preparing a banquet. How beautiful is that?
Preparing means He is setting things in order, arranging our banquet in the middle of the darkest night when you could be the most afraid. The Shepherd is meeting every need. He is furnishing you, joining in the battle with you, and esteeming you worthy of the battle. He is spreading the table before you.
You need to know that He is with you right now, wherever you are. He will never leave you. He will always be there for you, no matter what your heart, the world, or others tell you. On your darkest night when you are terrified, He is there working all things out for your good.
Presence
He is not getting you out of the danger but with you in the middle of it. He gives you victory in all battles.
He is preparing this banquet conspicuously in front of, in the sight of your enemy. The Shepherd, I AM, God is clarifying that He is with you. He publicly shows that he is giving you a banquet and that you are the object of his care.
He didn’t get you out of the presence of your enemies. I AM didn’t stop the mistreatment; He just came to bless you in the middle of it.
You want Him to kill your enemies, destroy them, and get vengeance on them, but He blesses you while your enemies watch. They continue their attacks, do all they can to destroy, and have to watch you get blessed. What could frustrate them more?
Provision
The Shepherd prepares a table before you—a banquet, a multicourse meal to abundantly bless you even in the middle of the fight.
Never forget or overlook all that God is doing every day in your life. Live a life of gratitude. God is good and has been gracious with us.
So, you look for His hand and blessing on your darkest days.
People
David had enemies even though one had been his best friend his entire life and the other his son. Enemies are those who cause trouble, distress, impede, cramp, or tie up. These people treated David with hostility and harassed and attacked him.
His own friends and family had become his rivals. You can have enemies no matter who you are. At least in the New Testament, we know our enemies are not flesh and blood, but demonic spirits.
Be careful to separate your attackers and their actions from the people that God loves and see the demonic forces behind them so that you can still love even those who hurt you and abuse you while hating the enemy, the Devil.
This war isn’t between you and other people but between our Shepherd and His enemies. We can trust that He can fight His own battles.
Don’t forget that you may deserve the attacks because you have failed, but what is happening is oh so much bigger than you. David had failed Absalom in many ways as a dad and king. It is possible that Ahithophel was offended by what happened with Bathsheba, but the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.It is bigger than you.
Promise
Do you see what is happening here? David has focused on I AM, his Shepherd, thought of what God does for him, and spoken to the Lord, letting God know that he is certain that God has been with him, comforting him.
Focusing on the Lord, the Savior, and the Shepherd instead of your situation will lift you, like David, to a different reality.
In his heart and spirit, David rises from the dungeon of darkness and death to the heavenly of health, happiness, and security. David is banqueting and flying high even though he is physically still in the horrible fight of his life.
You, too, can experience life on a different plane. Still, you will have to intentionally shift your focus from yourself, your suffering, your attackers, and your situation to your Shepherd, Savior, God, and King.
Bring your thoughts into captivity. Don’t settle for anything less than the best. Let the Holy Spirit open your eyes to your actual condition in Christ.
You are accepted, seated in the heavens, victorious, and He in you is greater than he in the world.
Banquet in the Battle
(Inspired by Psalm 23:5)
The Table
In war's chaos, You prepare a feast,
Where shadows lurk and dangers never cease—
Not merely once, but faithfully, divine,
Your hands arrange bounty as flames shine.
Grace forms the tablecloth, pristine and white,
Hope fills each plate, each cup holds light.
You don't await the battle's final hour,
But serve amidst the conflict's raging power.
The Invitation
Here, while my enemies circle and prowl,
You crown my head where thorns left their scowl.
Their hatred cannot dim Your sacred flame—
In warfare's heart, beloved is my name.
No fleeing valleys dark with death and pain,
No hiding scars that tell where I have lain.
Though hounds of darkness snarl and gnash their teeth,
Your bread, Your wine remain beyond their reach.
The Provision
Each serving brings Your mercy newly born—
A banquet for my spirit, bruised and torn.
You teach me how to savor perfect peace
That blossoms where destruction will not cease.
This victory transcends both flight and fight:
Your banner waving through my darkest night.
The Enemy may rage with futile breath
When I raise Your cup that conquers death.
The Promise
O Shepherd-King, at last my eyes can see—
The battle's in Your hands; the feast calls me.
No enemy can claim what You have freed,
I commune with heaven while earth may bleed.
Let tempests howl, let flaming arrows fly,
I'll fix my vision on this truth so high:
That even here, where war leaves nothing whole,
You name me worthy—and it heals my soul.
Amen.