a table in the dark
feasting in the presence of enemies
As I’ve reflected on and sat with Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies”, I have had to truly question, what are my “enemies”. I mean, most of us aren’t running from warriors or hiding in caves like David. But, once I got honest with myself I realized, it sometimes feels like our modern culture has created a whole new category of “enemies,” and they show up in ways David never could have imagined.
Today our enemies aren’t soldiers; they’re opinions, worldviews, and lurking online presences that seem to follow us everywhere. Scroll through your phone for five minutes and you’ll feel it: the pressure to choose sides, defend your stance, and brace yourself for anyone who sees life differently. We’re told that the woman who votes differently, parents differently, or holds different values is suddenly a threat.
Scroll through your phone for five minutes and you’ll feel it: the pressure to choose sides, defend your stance, and brace yourself for anyone who sees life differently.
It’s exhausting. Somehow, the culture around us has turned neighbors into opponents, strangers into critics, and even sisters in Christ into potential “enemies” simply because they walk a different path. And then there are the digital enemies—the comment that hits wrong, the comparison game that leaves you feeling small, the group chat tension, the news cycle that churns anxiety, the social media feed that makes you question your worth. None of these enemies are throwing spears at you, but they sure can wound you in ways that linger. They creep into your thoughts at night, influence how you show up in the world, and whisper lies you try your best not to believe.
But here’s the truth I don’t like admitting: some of my most persistent enemies aren’t out there at all—they’re inside me. Fear that loops on repeat. Anxiety that rises before I’m even out of bed. Insecurity that flares when I see someone thriving. Comparison that steals joy before I even notice it’s gone. Bitterness I thought I healed from but still feel when I’m pressed.
These internal enemies are sneaky, loud, and often far more damaging than any online critic or cultural conflict. And this is exactly where Psalm 23:5 hits me in the heart. God doesn’t wait until all those enemies, either inner or outer, disappear. He doesn’t wait until I’ve sorted myself out or conquered the cultural chaos. Right in the middle of it all, He prepares a feast. A table, set intentionally, right in the presence of everything that tries to steal my peace.
Right in the middle of it all, He prepares a feast. A table, set intentionally, right in the presence of everything that tries to steal my peace.
I imagine God placing a chair at this table with a smile, gesturing for me to sit, reminding me that I can rest in His presence, even while it’s dark and uncertain. This image literally draws my head space from the darkness and reminds me, He is my conqueror. “You anoint my head with oil” demonstrates His honor, tenderness, and divine love for us. In a world where we often feel unseen, underappreciated, misunderstood, or overwhelmed, God Himself says, “I choose you. I favor you. I delight in you.”
Our enemies do not get to define us. Not our fears. Not our insecurities. Not cultural division. Not online voices. Not the lies we battle in the quiet places. So how do we live this out as Christian women navigating a noisy, divided world? We slow down long enough to sit at God’s table instead of engaging every battle.
We remember that people who think differently aren’t threats, they’re image-bearers. We name the internal enemies we’ve been pretending not to notice. We let God’s voice grow louder than the world’s noise. And we choose compassion and connection over comparison and competition, trusting that God’s abundance is big enough for all of us. Most importantly, we embrace life knowing God truly has us.
Whatever enemies surround you today—stress, division, insecurity, worry, exhaustion—God has prepared a table for you right here, right now. A safe place. A beautiful place. A place where you are nourished, honored, and known. You don’t have to fight for your seat. You don’t have to prove yourself. Just come. Sit. Breathe. Receive everything He’s lovingly prepared for you.
