Psa 23
Scripture:
[5] You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Observation:
Millions have undoubtedly been comforted by the verses in Psalm 23.
A person could camp out in Psalm 23 for hours. For now though, I focus on the fact that my Lord loves me enough, not to remove all my enemies, but to provide me a feast in their presence.
Application:
When David says the Lord prepares a table – it is a feast. The Lord prepares a feast for me. Way more than I need or deserve.
God never said I would not have enemies trying to destroy me. He never said Satan would not try to entice me with lies of who I am, what I need, or what I want. In fact He said I would have troubles. He prepares for me this feast right in front of my enemies. As I sit at this overflowing feast of what the Lord offers, Satan prowls around like a lion ready to devour.
The feast comes in many forms including my spiritual gifting, His Word, the Holy Spirit, and pure joy knowing how much He loves me and that I will spend eternity with him.
Right here. Right in front of Satan and his minions, I’m feasting. As I glorify Him and praise Him even in the storms, He gives me exactly what I need, when I need it. In fact, He gives me abundantly more, as a feast with my cup overflowing, in the presence of my enemies.
Not only does He give me a feast in the presence of Satan’s destruction and lies, the Lord is proud of me. Even as I am being attacked by my enemies and may be making plenty of mistakes as I navigate this life’s trials, He anoints my head with oils – he is delighted with me and even rejoices over me with singing!
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph 3:17, NIV)
Prayer:
Lord I love you. Thank you for blessing me with the feast you have set for me in this troubled world. With Satan lurking to destroy, I have the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. I have nothing to fear and more than I need. Thank You for the joy and comfort I get from knowing You delight in me and rejoice in me with singing.
Above all, thank You for the gift of salvation and the knowledge of how the story ends and that I will spend eternity with You.
I pray I use my gifts within Your will and glorify you in all I do.
In Jesus’ holy name I pray, amen.