In the last post, we looked at what it means to have God as our Good Shepherd. He leads, protects, and disciplines. He leads us down paths of righteousness that we may glorify his name. Now, let's turn to the last few verses of Psalm 23 where David shifts from describing God as his shepherd to painting a picture of dining with the Lord. The Psalmist contrasts these two images. We see a sheep being led through lush grass and beside still waters by a Shepherd who knows and cares. And next to this pictures is another. A table, a cup, a father, a friend. In the pastures we walk with the King by our side. At the table we sit, reflect, and delight in the Lord.

David writes, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." We briefly reflected on the question of whom do we fear. The more we rely on self, the more we fear the things we can't control. Hard trials and enemies, the areas of life where things may rapidly turn for the better or for the worse, draw our attention. In the midst of these situations, God prepares the table. Our enemies, the things that attack our life, stand at a distance. They look upon a weary traveler being cared for by the Creator of the universe. Instead of controlling us in fear, these circumstances or people are provoked in seeing the one that they attacked being comforted. The sun shines on the righteous and the ungodly. Yet, the table is set, the cup is filled, and the feast prepared for those who belong to the Lord. Let's walk into the Narnia wardrobe for a minute and see the truths of reality through another dimension.

Darkness surrounds, oppressed on every side, yet there is a door. It swings open and a beam of inviting light shines through. Through the door lies a table, prepared not by human hands but the Lord himself. The still small voice fills the room. "Come sit, my child." A specific thought comes to mind. "Who am I that a sinner would be invited to sit with the Lord?" God comes close and anoints my head. He fills the cup, not just to the rim but lets it bubble up and spill over. Again the thought crosses. "Shouldn't I be doing this for the Lord and not him for me?" Yet God reminds me that he needs nothing and I have all goodness and gracious riches in him. The price isn't the table, oil, or the cup, but him and him alone. He is with me today, the rest of my days, and into all eternity.

Let's step out of this picture and talk about a few of these ideas. Feasting with the Lord is hard to imagine. This abundance seems undeserved. God does bless us in this life. Instead of looking at those blessings as merely tangible wants or needs, may we step back and see the broader source of these gifts. Blessings that come through Jesus' work on the cross. We can wake up in the morning with a smile on our face because Jesus is King, death is conquered, and hope is found in everlasting life in him. In David's psalm he reflects on the fact that "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive are all gifts from God. Yet, they seem to shrink back in comparison to the glorious gift of Jesus. In Christ, we now see the goodness of God, through a lens of endless joy. A perspective of enjoying these things to glorify His name and bring about His gospel. The table is set, let's feast with the King, and tell others what this King is like. May we share our burdens with Christ and allow His life to fill our lives that we can't help but spend time with Him and share Him with those around us.

Christ says it this way, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The call is to feast with the King but also to share our burden in the daily patterns of life. Those in Christ will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Today is a unique time where we interact daily with those who may not spend eternity with the Lord. Is there hope for those who receive little love, the outcast, and the lost? What about the enemies of God?

David doesn't seem to have much sympathy for his enemies. He prays in the Psalms for God to act justly against his enemies (Psalm 17:13). So what do we do with this thought? There is a lot of brokenness in this world, cruel people carrying out horrific things. What breaks our hearts also breaks God's heart. Instead of approaching Psalm 23 only with a view of what God can do for us, let's look at this passage as a picture of what it looks like for a weary traveler to come home. We were all once wicked people carrying out ungodly things. Some of us have turned, some are still on the path toward destruction. God will judge justly. Our unrepentant enemies will receive what is due. Yet there is hope. Good news in Christ. Let's end with the simple words of Jesus. "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." May our blindness be removed. The God who leads us beside still waters is the same God who will leave the ninety-nine to save the lost, the one who seems unsalvable. There is room at the table for the humble in heart, a voice beckons. "Come home."

Psalm 23:5-6 - ESV 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.

Luke 6:28-30 - ESV bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.