Eagle Saints
Devotional 164

Eating in Front of Your Enemies in Peace

"THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES . . . " Psalm 23:5a KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

BECAUSE PEOPLE "EAT AND RUN" THESE DAYS THEY OFTEN DEVELOP INDIGESTION, BLEEDING ULCERS, HIATAL HERNIAS AND IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE SERIOUS DISEASES

Once they have seized their prey, all raptors eat fairly rapidly. Chunks of food move from the mouth to the esophagus, and then to a storage area called the crop. It remains there until the eagle returns to his perch, and he can digest his food in peace. Because people "eat on the run" these days they often develop indigestion, bleeding ulcers, hiatal hernias and irritable bowel syndrome which can lead to the development of more serious diseases. Also, eating with people whom one dislikes can cause indigestion.

IN SPITE OF BAD NEWS AND THREATS WE CAN STILL REJOICE IN THE LORD

It is possible for Eagle Saints to eat at a banquet table in peace, even with their enemies looking on with sneers of contempt. Even when the surrounding circumstances are negative and unpleasant, overcomers in Christ can enjoy their meals and not suffer indigestion. We can have peace in the midst of the storm. It is not dependent on what is transpiring all around us. In spite of bad news and threats we can still rejoice in the Lord. Seeing us eat the good of the land with a lavish table setting will irritate those who seek to do us harm. Either they will become so enraged they will do themselves in, or they will begin to covet what we have, and eventually receive the Jesus we love, but they despised.

IT IS TO BE A CELEBRATION OF INTIMACY WHERE WE CAN TALK THINGS OUT WITH OUR LORD AND MASTER

Taking a cue from the eagle, there is a time and a place to eat in peace. God wants us to sit down at the table which He has prepared. Not taking a bite now and then as we continue to go about our daily activities. It is to be a celebration of intimacy where we can talk things out with our Lord and Master. It is His desire that we calm ourselves so that we can benefit fully from all the communication and communion we experience with Him, not missing anything.

GOD WANTS OUR TIME; OUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION

Eating in peace causes our bodies and spirits to receive the intended nourishment and energy which He has provided. Some of the dishes on the table will be our favorites, while others will not be of our choosing, but what God knows is good for us, and what we need at the time. God wants our time; our undivided attention. This cannot happen when our minds are filled with what we need to do, and cut Him off in the middle of the divine conversation. As we continue to read this verse in the 23rd Psalm, we discover that He will anoint our head with oil, and our cup of blessing will overflow. But, if we do not first sit at His table, eating in peace, surrounded by our sworn enemies, then we cannot receive His anointing and blessing of abundance. It begins by sitting at His table.