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July 15, 2010

Psalm 23, one verse at a time — Vrse 5

Column by Dr. Sam Smith

Dr. Sam Smith Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Thu Jul 15, 2010, 07:02 PM CDT

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

In the ancient Near East, covenants were often concluded with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship.

To set at a table with your enemy was to represent a sort of peace treaty. David is saying that God is so merciful and all-knowing that He would arrange such a meeting for the good of all.

Has God ever arranged a meeting for you and anyone you had issues with?

The idea of God sitting a table for us tells us that He provides all we need.

There was a table prepared by Christ during His time on earth.

On that table were the sacraments that would represent His body and His blood, His sacrifices to ensure our eternity.

Remember that His betrayer was seated at that very table.

Jesus even washed his feet and gave him the bread.

“Then, dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him.”

(John 13:26-27)

Jesus told us to love our enemies, and He demonstrated it that night in the upper room.

The act of anointing with oil was a customary treatment of an honored guest at a banquet.

David demonstrated his closeness with his Heavenly Father by suggesting that God would honor him in that manner.

It is a good lesson for us to realize how esteemed we are with our Father in heaven.

God wants the best for His children.

He sets a place for us at His table, honors us with His love and fills our cups to overflowing.

The cup represents God’s generosity.

For the faithful, the cup overflows with His goodness.

Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

We can have faith that God will provide all we need.

If we will trust in our Creator our cup will overflow with His provision, even when times seem hard.

For those who follow Jesus, we can look forward to an honored place at God’s banquet table in heaven.

There we will enjoy all the goodness of the Lord for all eternity.

We all have an invitation to the banquet.

Jesus has made the reservations.

He loves us that much.

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.”

(Song of Songs 2:4)

Dr. Sam Smith,

Butterfly Ministry,

ssmithkate@aol.com

Text Only

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Psalm 23, one verse at a time — Vrse 5

Column by Dr. Sam Smith

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