David comes to the sixth statement of God’s (the Shepherd’s) action for him by Design:

“Thou preparest a table before me (in the presence of mine enemies)…” (Psalms 23:5a)

First, The Who: “Thou…”

 Again, David refers to his Shepherd, “The LORD,” or Jehovah; the Creator, the Controller, and the Consummator of all things. “In the beginning God created…” Before the beginning, God was.

John the Apostle wrote in Revelation that Jesus said of Himself:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

“Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last…” (Revelation 1:11)

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)

Once again, David attributes the Action (“preparest”) to God (Christ). He is the Cause and we are the effect; which means that all things flow from Him. He is God and there is no other god. He is the Action; we are passive and are acted upon.

Second, The What: “Thou preparest a table before me …”

“Thou preparest…”

The verb “prepare” is defined as (1) “to make ready or get ready”; (2) “to get ready beforehand”; (3) “to put together.” Synonyms are (1) equip, fit, qualify, ready, season; (2) fit, fix, get, lay ready, arrange, set, spread, furnish, provide, supply, etc.

This means that God – in Eternity Past – made a Plan to implement His Purpose in David’s life. God was not caught napping in any event that was to happen in David’s life; for God had already “prepared,” or put together, a Plan for David.

Praise God for God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world (or before time ever was). This brings great peace to the Believer no matter what the situation is, or what the circumstances are in his life. There is absolutely nothing that God has not fore-ordained in the Believer’s life.

Here God’s fore-knowledge comes into play. But it is not only what God knows will happen in a Believer’s life – but God has appointed his steps; He has ordained the events in the Believer’s life:

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.” (Job 23:13-14)

So, David knew that his Shepherd (Jehovah; Joshua; Jesus; The Great I AM) had prepared for David before time ever was

“…a table…”

There are several definitions to the word “table” as a noun.  The primary definition is “a piece of furniture consisting of a smooth flat top fixed on legs” (a) to eat food on; or (b) to do paperwork on.

Here God had revealed to David – using “a table” of food for his daily supply, as the daily supply of not only food for David’s sustenance; but a picture of God’s total supply, both physical and spiritual, in light of all that David had to face in life.

Not only do I feed you, David; but I am your Shield, Buckler, Refuge, and High Tower. I am your Provider and Protector.

“…before me…”

David knew – by word of God and by experience – that God’s Provision and Protection was Personal to him. Hallelujah, God is a personal God; He is not God in the abstract, but He is God to me, in me, and for me. Yes, God abides in His Temple, the Believer’s body:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Many who worship other gods do not have a personal god, because their gods:

1. Are not God;
2. Are dead;
3. Are fabricated out of wood and stone made and designed by men.

Read Isaiah 40:18-19; 41:7; 44:8-19. Also see 1 Kings 18:21-46.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (23) Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: (24) And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. (25) And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. (26) And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. (27) And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. (28) And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. (29) And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” (1 Kings 18:21-29)

Praise God, the Believer’s God, David’s God, Jehovah, is alive and dwells within the Believer. There is a constant teaching and leading the Believer in faith. He comes to experience the Victory of the Lamb of God daily in his life; for God’s provision is “before me.”

There is only One God, for there is none like Him who “preparest a table” (or a provision) based upon His Eternal Counsel before time. Yes, this is my Sovereign God, who has it all planned for me. Amen and Amen!