Focus: The Table And The Oil

Text: Ps.23:5

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."

David as God's sheep emerges from the valley of the shadow of death and arrives at the tableland of resurrection where his Shepherd has put together a six-course meal for him, and on that tableland his enemies have been rendered lifeless and forever silenced.

The Shepherd provides in abundance all that the sheep need. The psalmist says, "Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it" (Ps.65:9). Paul says, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom.8:32). He says again, "Trust… in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (1Tim.6:17). Paul, in Ephesians, tells us of the "exceeding riches of his grace." 

The rich store of grace never runs out. The treasure-house of heaven has no bottom. From the royal kitchen of grace God treats us to a lavish meal of tasty and healthy delicacies.

David survives the valley of death and of deep darkness, and now he is on a tableland atop the mountains. O sheep of God, I make bold to say that your life will not come to an end in the valley. The Shepherd will bring you up the hills to enjoy the lavish provisions of His grace. God will turn your pain into a great gain. He turns sadness into gladness, a sigh into a song, a cross into a crown, and a lamentation into a jubilation. 

The Shepherd does not only clear out the tableland, making it conducive for the sheep, but He also brings the sheep into the sheepfold, and at the door, He examines the sheep, pouring on their heads soothing oil and healing balm. From the jar in His hand, the Shepherd pours water into the sheep's mouths to revive and refresh them. That is why David declares that his cup runs over. 

It is actually the cup with which the Shepherd gives the sheep water to drink. It is a two-mouth jar. David as God's sheep claims that cup for himself. So we can describe that cup as the cup of his life, the cup of salvation, the cup of blessing, and the cup of joy. 

The tableland is for food and rest, and the oil is for healing and renewal. I pray for you to enjoy in this present life the provisions of grace and the goodness of the Shepherd! Enjoy the table and the oil! They are all yours.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter