confidence

od never promises us a life of ease. Life isn't always pleasant where we happen to be. Many times we have to call for our Shepherd to rescue us, and He always brings us back to the fold and sets us at His table.

When Jesus was with His disciples just before His death on the cross, He had a table prepared for them. He took the bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body." Then He passed the cup, saying, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for the remission of sins." The story is found in Matthew 26:26-28.

No matter what our surroundings--even in peril or hardship--our Shepherd is with us. The sheep in the wilderness were stalked on all sides by wolves and other wild animals, but they could graze in peace because the shepherd was there to ward off the advances of their enemies.

David recognized the providence of God in his life. Whether fighting a lion or a bear or the giant Goliath, he trusted God to preserve his life. In all his battles, God provided for all his needs, and that included keeping the table supplied for him and his men. He was in many dangerous battles, but God preserved him from his enemies and greatly blessed him.

Christians in all churches partake of these emblems in remembrance of our Shepherd. With these emblems, our Shepherd has given to us the ultimate feast to protect us from all of our enemies until He comes to rescue us and to set us at His table for a feast in the new Earth.