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 presence of the Lord connects these two thoughts. These two contrasting images of the sheep and the shepherd and dining with the Lord in the presence of our enemies.

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 circumstances, trials, and enemies are all areas of life where the circumstances may rapidly turn for the better or for the worse. 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 provoking us, these circumstances or people are provoked seeing the one that they attacked being comforted, cared for, and experiencing the presence of the Lord. The sun shines on the righteous and the ungodly; however, 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, a picture.

Darkness surrounds us, oppressed on every side, but we open a door. We walk through and before us lies a table, prepared not by human hands but the Lord Himself. I hear the still small voice of "Come sit, my child." Who am I that a sinner would be invited to sit with the Lord? He comes close and anoints my head with oil. He fills my cup not just to the rim but lets it bubble up and spill over. Shouldn't I be doing this for the Lord and not Him for me? He 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, like a free gift. 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 as coming 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. 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 our clothes, food, and cars through a different lens. 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 share with others what this king is like. May we share our burdens with Christ and allow His life to infect 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. We 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.

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 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, the wrath of God. Let's end with the simple words of Jesus. "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." God will leave the ninety-nine to save the one. The wicked one, the cruel one, the self-righteous one, the one who seems the furthest from Him.

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.