Psalm 23: verse 5 (NIV)
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Many people, even those who wouldn’t claim to be Christians would be able to tell you that the first line of Psalm 23 is “The Lord is my shepherd.” Almost as many would be able to quote the whole Psalm. The first half certainly paints us a perfect picture of the best middle eastern shepherd. But it was the second half of the psalm that caught my attention today – that of the welcoming host.
This sums up a picture of the banqueting table to which we are welcomed – even in the face of opposition or rejection. I think of what its like to be picked last for sports team games as a child. I was not after all an asset to the team – but in front of everyone God singles us out and says, “yes, you – in you come and be welcome.” Not only that, He gives us the welcome as an honoured guest anointed with oil. Think of the examples in the New Testament where Jesus is anointed by others and Simon the Pharisee was criticised for not giving Jesus the honour, He was rightly due – and yet David tells us that God provides that for us.
In Old Testament times, if people were invited to a King’s banquet, it was a sign of continued welcome at the King’s table if he instructed his servants to fill and refill your cup. As long as he did so, he wanted you to continue in his company and presence. Once your cup was no longer refilled, it was a sign for you to take your leave. Here God not only fills our cup, He makes sure it overflows. He wants to spend time with us and He doesn’t want us to leave.
How honoured and blessed are we? Because Jesus has given us His robes of righteousness to wear, we are welcome at the banqueting table where the banner over us is love.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your goodness and grace to me that means I am welcome to spend time with You. Help me never to take that honour and privilege for granted. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.