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We have been studying through Psalm 23 one verse at a time~ if you haven’t been following along, go back and check out those four other blogs to catch up!

Through this lectio divina we have learned that God is our Shepherd who provides all we need, that He restores us to what we have been created to be, and that He guides and protects us through whatever valley or circumstance we find ourselves to be in.

To be completely honest, I am in a valley these days, folks…and am desperate for His rod and staff to comfort me.

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That being said, let’s dig into Psalm 23:5 ~

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

NIV

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Putting this verse into the context of the whole passage is necessary…On its own, it sounds great! A celebration is being prepared for me in front of those who hate me or wish me harm?? Sign me up!

That doesn’t seem like the usual motive, though…

There must be more to it than that… especially since this verse follows the reference to the valley of the shadow of death and not fearing evil.

I believe the deeper meaning of this verse begins with the table being prepared… The Shepherd, who provides for all we need, is preparing a table.

In one commentary, it is mentioned that an alternate meaning to the word “table” is “feast”… We are again seeing that the Shepherd is giving more than what we think we need: this is no ordinary meal being prepared- this is a feast.

Another wording suggests an annointing is being prepared… A blessing, sanctification, an ordaining (being chosen).

All this is in the presence of my enemies…

Whaaaat?

In spite of others who do not support or understand what the Lord is doing or who He is, this annointing is being made ready for you.

So, our Shepherd who already gives us all we need is preparing more in plain view for all to see…where what He is preparing cannot be hindered or ruined or affected by those that don’t desire it for themselves or for you.

What could this table, this feast…this annointing...be?

The mark of God’s favor is public.

The blessing of the Lord is for all to see.

The Fruit of the Spirit is to reveal God’s glory and goodness.

The Lord’s witnessed provision is to draw others to Him.

The gifts from the Spirit point to Jesus as King.

Why is it so significant for all this to be seen??

John 3:17

God did not send his Son to the world to condemn the world but to save it through Him.

NIV

Preparing more than what has already been provided and doing so for all to see is what a loving father does.

God wants others to see how He lavishes His love on those who follow the Shepherd…He wants others to long to follow Him too.

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You anoint my head with oil – oil is a symbol for gladness. In Hebrew times, pouring oil onto a person was a sign of respect and cleansing when a person came to visit or in burial preparation.

Today, an anointing of oil is used in prayers for healing or protection, in last rites, and christenings or baptisms.

While at this table that has been prepared, to be anointed with oil suggests a continued giving of good things- not just out of need either, but out of delight.

Imagine it: you are given an abundance of good things because God delights in delighting you.

Think about that for a minute.

God has given you what He knows you need…air, water, life, love, friends and family. Then, He gives enough that even if you could have more you do not wish for it. Then, He still gives even more.

To the point that your cup overflows.

Here is an example that comes to my mind~

The Lord knows I need companionship so, on top of giving me the gift of His Holy Spirit that will never leave me, He has given me a wonderful husband that is also my best friend.

In addition to Dan, I was given the gift of a relationship with Dan’s sister- I gained both a friend and a sister in one beautiful package.

Dan and I were best friends with his sister and her husband…but then we met another couple: Dan and Ali.

Ali was the real deal in the friend department…I thought Dan’s sister was enough -as well as other friends I was surrounded with- but Ali was something special.

She was something more.

After the death of Dan’s sister, Ali was still there. She and her family were there to comfort us, laugh with us, really know us.

We raised our children together and watched each other grow up.

After the death of Dee, Dan and I were drawn into a relationship with the Lord and soon found even more friends to fill the void left by the death of his sister.

Dan and I drew closer to each other as well and our family unit of four became our top priority above all other relationships.

We thought we had all we needed in Christ, in each other, and in these pre-existing friendships. We were satisfied and content…we felt blessed.

But God delights in what delights us remember?

Out of the blue a few years ago, I found myself in a friendship with others.. . relationships I wasn’t looking to foster and didn’t think I needed.

The Lord knew….and was paving a way to provide for even more.

These women surrounded my family when we were in a time of dire need. They embraced my children as their own family. They welcomed us into their families as well. They walked through fire with us and prayed fervently for us and with us.

They were in place when Ali got sick: she was diagnosed with colon cancer six years ago. She fought the fight hard and finished the race…on October 10, 2021…my friend has died.

And I have not been left alone.

As I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I have been comforted by my Shepherd. He has also prepared a table for me, for all to see.. He has blessed me with more…

In my life, in this example, His provision has been more friends than I ever knew I needed; better friends than I deserve; godly sisters that my heart has desired since the passing of our Dee….that will hold me up as I grieve my beautiful Ali.

My cup overflows.

Have you seen the Lord’s provision in your life? It could look like financial blessings, extra protection, career success, an abundance of more.

Can you see His hand guiding you, forgiving you, calling for you although you do not feel worthy?

Have you given of your time, energy, finances and found that God gave you more in return?

Is your cup overflowing?

Encourage yourself by remembering a time when it has!

The awareness of how good our God is is humbling…how good He is to us surpasses our understanding.

Sometimes, it is because of the valley I am able to see the table being prepared more clearly. Perhaps, my eyes are open to His abundant goodness because I am more aware in that valley that He is all I need.

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And my cup overflows.

May you feel His oil of gladness pouring over your head today in an abundancy of blessings for all to see.