“In the Presence of Mine Enemies”

Psalm 23 is one of my favorite places in the Bible. David said, “Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies.” Psalm 23:5

We have all kinds of “enemies.” Your enemy can even be “someone you fear…” Years ago, before we moved to Fond Parisien, Haiti, we lived high in the mountains of Mt. Noire, Haiti. It was during the times when there were problems in the country and there was very, very little electricity. In fact, for two years, we had hardly any electricity at all.

Due to the violence and the fact that we had no electricity at night, we bought a Rottweiler. I had to think of a name that would scare off the Haitians, so I couldn’t call him “Blackie,” or “Lucky,” etc. I called him, “Zombie!” He grew into the biggest dog you could ever imagine. He loved us, but at night, his whole personality “changed!” At the least little noise, in the dark, he sent out a growl that would make the hair on your arms stand up!

Pastor Mark Ostrander had been helping us with our TV programs, so he was coming in and out of Haiti frequently and staying with us. We had always kept “Zombie” chained on a “big chain,” during the day, and let him loose at night.

One night, Pastor Mark had left something in our truck (I think it was a TV camera), and we might have already gone to bed. But, Pastor Mark thought he should get the camera, and bring it inside. He opened the door and went out to the truck, and just as he had his hand on the “door,” his other hand dropped down and landed on something “soft,” and alive!

It was Zombie in the dark!! Mark told us of the fear he instantly felt. We were inside and he was “outside” in the dark, with Zombie, loose! He said his heart began beating 100 miles an hour, and just about the time his heart stopped beating, “Zombie started licking him!” Wow! With an awesome sign of relief, that he was still alive, Mark said, “Zombie, I’m glad I brought you that dog bone last time!”

Our enemy can come in different forms, but the Bible says, “Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies!” Isn’t God good! Sherry

P.S. Zombie is no longer with us. Now, we have a “Sampson,” who loves Pastor Mark just as much!!