Psalm 23:5 Sit at God's Table

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

This is my favorite verse in Psalm 23. Why? Because it reveals God's grace and loving care, and it doesn't depend on me or on my choices.

God is faithful and true to His character, whether we are faithful or not. Even in our disobedience, God is with us and cares for us.

David knows a lot about enemies, even though he is young. He serves King Saul who is plagued by evil spirits and, quite often, Saul turns against him and attacks him. As David gets older, he leads King Saul's armies out to face Israel's fierce enemies and defeats them. 

Through it all, David relies on God. He doesn't assume God will give him earthly victory, but he knows God is there to sustain him and to provide protection for him. 


You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 
What a comforting picture, especially when we feel like we are surrounded by enemies. He prepares a table - a table where we can sit and catch our breaths for a bit. 
A table full of the food of Scripture to sustain us. A table with the cooling, refreshing water of His presence to encourage us.  

You anoint my head with oil.
Oil symbolizes richness, honor; it shows how much the anointer cherishes the person he anoints. 
God Himself anoints David. 
God Himself anoints us as we sit at His table. He expresses how cherished we are to Him. Though we might be surrounded by enemies, He anoints us with the richness of His strength, courage, and the assurance of certain victory in Christ. 

My [David's] cup overflows.
David could make no greater statement of faith and gratitude to his Lord. 
How often do I praise God for His goodness in the midst of my enemies?
Even in difficult circumstances, our cups overflow with God's love, sustaining power, and strength. When we are exhausted, we are refreshed and restored by His presence. 

What tender care the Father bestows on us in our time of need. Often we're too focused on the need to see how much He cherishes us. A deep love that led Jesus to the cross and anoints us with His presence every day.

How has God fed you at His table in difficult times? 

Beauty and Blessing

I spent this  week at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christians Writers Conference, lovingly called BRMCWC for short.  Ridgecrest Conference Center - what an amazing place.

In between the classes, there are the reunions with precious writer friends and the excitement of making new ones.

And then there is the beauty!

And, above all, the amazing presence of God! Peace, joy - this place is a sanctuary for me.

Is there a place that brings you close to God?

On the QT: The 5 W's - Why?

 

Why should we carve out time in our busy days to spend with God?

 

Why should we give up a few minutes of precious sleep?

 

Why should we give up the few minutes we can grasp in a day for this instead of settling down with a good book?

 

The first W in this series was "Who?" Check it out here.   

 

Now we ask "Why?"

 

Oh, there are the obvious reasons: 

• Build a stronger relationship with God.
• Get to know His Word.
• Be able to tell everyone how faithful you are to spend time with God every day. 

Oh, you can deny that last one, but I know better! I’ve done it myself.

 

But there are lots of other reasons that draw us to God.

 

You don’t have to read 25 verses of Scripture.

 

Quiet time with God is just that: Quiet time with God

  

Perhaps you need a bit of peace: 

• Sit with Him in silence before the kids get up and peace evaporates in the bedlam. 
• Let Him calm your mind before the “I have to…” list overwhelms you. 
• Take a minute to revel in your blessings and say, “Thank You!”
• Ask for His patience when you know it’s going to be a rough day. 

 

Maybe you have a desperate need to feel His Presence:

• Be wrapped in His love when you feel most unlovable.
• Close your eyes and feel a sense of hope only He can give you.
• Soak in His grace when you need forgiveness.
• Rest in His healing when your heart is broken.

 

And then there are times when God’s Word is exactly what we need.

 

Within its pages we find:

• Wisdom to answer our doubts.
• Words to comfort a hurting friend.
• Guidance to make a difficult decision
• Truths to soothe our fears and heal our hurts.

 

The “Why” of time with God doesn’t have one answer.

• He sits with us when we need the quiet.
• He laughs with us when we are happy.
• He speaks to us through His Word.
• God is there to meet all the ‘whys’ in our lives.

 

Why is your time with God precious?

Remember, comment to this post and you might win a copy of my Bible study, Storms of Life

 

 Photo credit: Denise B. Scott