David suggests that we could be eating with our enemies, but we must take note that it was God who had prepared the table for him. David was never over-concerned about the enemy, he knew who was the more powerful force. Resist the devil, standing firm in the faith.

We return to our psalm today for an interesting encouragement. There is much in the Bible about food, and miraculous provision. As we read through the Bible we are convinced that God has a banquet waiting for the followers of Jesus at the end of time as we know it.

The idea of sending Jesus was not a panic decision made when God saw the Israelites disobey. It was His plan from the beginning of time. He knew in creating mankind they would disobey His rules. He was the good Shepherd providing for His sheep from before time began.

Bishops in traditional churches walk with a staff with a hook on the top when they wear ceremonial dress. If a lamb has fallen over a cliff, or is stuck in a stream the shepherd will stretch out his staff, hook it round the lamb and lift it to safety.

If you have been brought up with the impression that God is a very strict being, watching us from Heaven and ready to punish the least little sin, then think again today. Our Heavenly Father is the most loving, forgiving being that has ever existed and ever will exist.

We want Jesus to be there in the hard, difficult or stressful situations. He is! But also when we fail to remember Him; when life seems good, when we have no time to think. He sympathises and shows us the way out when we have nowhere to turn.

This is the answer to every problem we ever face. God never promises that we will not have troubles, but He does promise to walk through those troubles with us. After Jesus ascended into Heaven the Holy Spirit came to the disciples on Pentecost weekend. And He has NEVER left.

The Bible tells us that satan was once a prince among the angelic beings in Heaven, but jealousy and self importance got a grip on him and he was cast out of Heaven. Since that day he has been tormenting the people of the earth.

Many translations speak of the valley of death rather than the darkest valley, and maybe for many of us death is the greatest thing we fear. I have heard several christians say that death holds no fear for them, but they are afraid of the way death will come.

For David, the thief was the lion or bear, but in our day we recognise that the thief is the devil himself or one of his demons. The only solution for us is to follow the Good Shepherd who gave His life that we might live long healthy happy lives.