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Psalm 23, Verse 5: Thou Preparest a Table Before Me

     5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of.
 Mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup.
 runneth over.

At this point, it is clearly about David’s relationship with the Lord, his Shepherd, looked at from the lens of an earthly shepherd and in turn, our relationship with the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  David was the shepherd of his father’s sheep and they were, at times, surrounded by dangerous animals. David was confident and prepared by his divine Shepherd with a table  prepared before him in the presence of his enemies. David knew that even though danger could be lurking near him, God’s equipping and provisions were his safety net. There is a table laid out for us with the provisions of God—salvation through Jesus, his Word;  intercession by our Savior, the Holy Spirit, angelic forces, prayer warrior, etc. These provisions are ours p, even in the midst of demonic oppression, worldly evil and the flesh.  On our table, prepared by Lord to equip, us no good thing has been withheld from us.  (Ps 84:11)

God started the table of preparation for David while in his father’s house.  He was often persecuted by his brothers.  He was the one who remained in the pastures with his father’s ship. So when God wrenched the kingdom from Saul, he sent the prophet, Samuel, to Jesse’s house for he was anointing one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king. Jesse, David’s father, presented his sons before Samuel, but none was the anointed one.  They had to send for David who was out in the field. Jesse had not even considered his youngest son.  David was the one and Samuel anointed his head with oil.  He was the one who was called to be the next King of Israel.  (1 Sam 16) His cup, his portion in life, was overflowing.  He was abundantly blessed, even in the midst of his mean-spirited brothers.

When God anoints his children’s heads, he blesses and sets them apart.  David was anointed to be king. (1 Sam 16:13) Aaron was anointed to be high priest. (Lev 18:12)  God always prepared his people with what they needed, even in the presence of adversaries. We can also be confident that we are prepared at his table with provisions before our anointing with oil. His anointing then brings the overflow and abundant blessings–so much so that our cup can overflow, even when we are surrounded by enemies.

Be blessed.

Spiritual Verses for Meditation:

Exodus 29:7: You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.

Psalm 89:20:  I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him.

1 Samuel 10:1:  Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage.

Published inCultivating a Devotional Life

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