Psalm 23:5-6 (NKJV) 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
(As we began to enter March, what was going to happen began to reveal itself. As we look at restoration, we can see how important it is for us to believe in what the Bible teaches us in this Psalm.)
In my last two posts I have been asking the question, “What does a restored soul look like?” In answer we have seen that a restored soul does not fear even when in the shadow of death itself. Why? Because he knows that God is with him. He knows that God’s rod and staff are always there to guide, protect, empower and help him walk in God’s ways. We also see that God prepares a table in the presence of our enemies. The table speaks of abundance. The location of the table speaks of rest even in the middle of the battle. God will give us rest as we fellowship with him at the table of his presence.
Today I want to look at the rest of verse 5. Not only has God prepared a great feast in the presence of my enemies, but he anoints my head with oil. There are a number of things about this statement that I would like to mention. The anointing of the head with oil was something that was reserved for honored guests. The Lord wants us to know that we are not beggars at his table. We are not there because God has to allow us to be there. We are honored guests at the table of the Lord.
As I think about the fact that this is happening in the presence of my enemies, I cannot help but think of the message this must send to them. I can see the Father looking at the enemies gathered around me as he pours the anointing oil over my head. I can see the enemies’ anger and frustration as he realizes how hopeless his fight against me really is.
Romans 8:31 (NKJV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
To me, this is the message that God is sending to my enemies as he anoints my head with oil. “I am for this one. Do you really think you can prevail against him?” The question is whether we will believe it or not. If we do, we have the victory now. If we do not, the battle will continue until we do.
The anointing of the head also means abundance or extravagance. Oil was expensive. When a woman anointed Jesus with oil, the onlookers were critical because they knew how much the oil was worth. Jesus rebuked them because he knew the woman’s heart. Nevertheless, you did not anoint a guest with oil if you were withholding from him. When God says he anoints our head with oil he wants us to know that he will not withhold anything from us.
Romans 8:32 (NKJV) 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Here Paul says that when God gave us Jesus, he also gives us all things. This means spiritual things, of course. However, there is no limitation placed on what he will give us. If I had the resources, I would give my children anything they could want. I am not a perfect father so I guess it is good that I cannot do that because I might give them things that are not good for them. That does not change the fact that any good father wants the best for his children.
God is not just a good Father; he is a perfect Father. He will not give us what we cannot handle. He will not give us anything that will hurt us or hinder the development of our relationship with him. He will not give us anything that will keep us from the destiny for which he created us. However, his resources are unlimited, and he delights in giving us all things. He will provide for our financial needs. He will heal our bodies. He will heal our emotions. He will provide success and victory. He anoints our heads with oil to let us and our enemies know that he will withhold nothing we need.
2 Peter 1:2-3 (NKJV) 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
God promises us that we have been provided everything we need for life. This means the living of life, both physically and spiritually. Godliness means to be God like and God centered. We have all we need to be successful, prosperous and victorious in spirit, soul and body.
The anointing with oil was also done to signify that a priest or a king was taking their position in God’s purpose. It was also a sign that God was empowering them for what he was calling them to do. God has anointed our heads with oil so that we can stand up as children of almighty God.
Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV) 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
We are his children and joint heirs of Jesus. An heir has access to everything that belongs to the one of whom he is an heir. We have access to all that belongs to Jesus. He died; therefore, the will has been executed. Nevertheless, he also lives as the executor of the will. The only condition is that we must be willing to suffer with him. That does not mean suffer the eternal consequences of sin. He already did that. It means to be willing to crucify our flesh so that we can fulfill the purpose of God. That purpose is set forth in Matthew 28.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
We must be willing to suffer in the flesh to win the lost to Christ and to make them disciples. That means we put his will above our own. We put the good of others above our good. We do what is necessary no matter what the cost to fulfill this condition. As we do, God promises to take care of all that we may need (Matthew 6:32-34.)
Let me mention the last thing God tells us in verse 5. He says our cups run over. Again, this implies plenty. God is not trying to conserve every drop of wine. He fills our cup until it runs over. Wine is a type of joy and pleasure. God is not withholding either from us. We may have to choose to forego them for a time to fulfil the call of Matthew 28. That does not mean God is somehow offended when we enjoy life. He fills our cup to overflowing. There is nothing that the world has to offer that can compare with the cup of God (Psalms 16:11)
The fact that this joy and pleasure is overflowing also tells us that there is more than enough of what God gives for those around us. Our cup of God’s presence, blessing and victory can and will overflow from our lives to the lives around us. All this is done in the presence of our enemies. What a powerful picture of what a restored soul can enjoy!
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