Protection, Peace and Security

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV)
 
I imagine we would like to enjoy a meal away from our enemies. Yet, it is clear in this passage that the Shepherd allows us to eat and enjoy a meal in the presence of our enemies. The enemy does not stand a chance against our Shepherd, and therefore, even though we are being sized up for their meal, we have no fears because God is with us.
 
Unless, of course, God is not with us. Then, we need to find a place to eat that is enemy-free, which, in this life, is impossible. Therefore, whenever we pause to enjoy a meal, we are being sized up to be the meal for someone else.
 
Protection, peace, security, and fulfillment are not available to us apart from the Shepherd. If we choose to stray, we choose to pay.