By Rev. Daniel Yaw

Introduction
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” is the next phrase in this beautiful psalm.  We know that immediately it speaks of God’s provision - our faithful God who never fails His children.

We celebrate this month, the 15th anniversary of FCC.  Yes, the Lord brought to birth FCC fifteen years ago.  I recall the past and see only the faithfulness of God and his provision for where we are today.  When it all began, I was amazed at how God works in our lives.  With great faith and confidence, I could boldly declare that God is our faithful God.  We have never faced any lack because God is always our Jehovah Jireh.

As I meditate on this verse for this month, I see A table set before me, secured even when there were enemies.

A Provision never lacking
When we picture this shepherd-sheep relationship, the most important thing is that the sheep must be well taken care of.  The greatest concern is that the sheep is well-fed and protected.  This phrase summarises these aspects.

Our merciful and caring God first identified Himself as Jehovah Jireh to Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac was halted by the declaration that Abraham had faith and said that “the Lord will see to it” – Jehovah Jireh.
This same God who is faithful is the one who fed the hungry multitude, provided comfort for the broken-hearted, gave strength to the weak and weary, hope to the sufferer, and most importantly salvation to us who were lost.

He will prepare a table for us.  It speaks of luxury and sufficiency.  We will sit at the table that is set, not a table that is not ready.  It is to be a table with sufficient food. 

When God prepared FCC, he set a table before us from Aston Road, Jit Sin Alumni building, furnishing us with all the equipment through a generous Christian who heard that we were embarking on starting a church.

When the church was growing, he sent yet another visitor to the church, who wrote a cheque for RM20,000 and said, “Pastor, you must get a bigger place and this is the rental for the next 6 months, which led us to Pusat Perniagaan Maju Jaya for the next 14 years and then to be a beacon to the community in Macang Bubok where we have moved into this year.  Indeed a table set before us, with no debt and no lack.

A Protection never shaking
Another note in my meditation is that this table was set before my enemies or in the presence of my enemies.  This is a strange picture.  We might be thinking, “Why in the presence of the enemies?  Should it not be in the presence of a wonderful atmosphere?”  What an ambiance!

Well, I thought of that too, but on a deeper level, it is about being unafraid, unashamed, and unshaken.  It is about the faithful God who not only provides for us in good times but also in times when we think we are afflicted on all sides, pressured, perplexed, and persecuted, God will not abandon us or forget about us.

Against certain taunting, against certain mockery, even by so-called “believers” in the kingdom, FCC was birthed.  This is the security we experienced.  It tells me that when the world thinks the worst, God is there to cover us.  In Psalm 25:1-3, “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.  O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.  Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; “

Conclusion
Can I put my trust in God?  As we look into the future – this is the abounding hope that we have in Christ.  I know that I will not be ashamed because God is there for me ALWAYS!  Adversities, sickness and accidents will not dampen my faith and my soul.  Family of FCC (FCCians), let us join hands to serve the Lord, join hearts to trust God, and lift our hands and heads to trust the Lord UNASHAMED!  Blessed Anniversary.