The Good Shepherd: Part 3
Psalm 23
Psalm 23:5, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 23 is David’s testimony of how good God is. David starts with introducing us to peace and leads us through ups and downs highlighting the goodness of our Good Shepherd. Even to the point of walking us through having peace when God is correcting us. Like a good sheep who stays close to his shepherd knowing he is safe and well taken care of, we to need to know how good our father is. It truly is peaceful knowing God will come correct us when we go astray. If you have not been around actual sheep, you should. You would see so many similarities and understand why God refers to us as sheep. Well, you may be a little offended, LOL. Let me explain; Sheep are truly hard to keep alive to be honest. I mean that in all good fun, but seriously, a good thump on the head is needed to make them realize they are walking off a cliff. Funny part is, it’s like they forget everything you taught them yesterday and you must start all over again. God is such a good and patient father for making sure He steps in before it is too late, while maintaining a position that allows us to exercise our free will.
In verse 5, David goes on to tell us about how good and peaceful it is to be anointed with oil by The Father. Let’s spend some time on this one. Did you know when it talks about oil in scripture, it is referencing the Holy Spirit? You have been anointed with HIS Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps bring us into the anointing potential God has within each of us. It is so important to our Father, for us to understand how important the Holy Spirit is.
As we read in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. *” (ESV) The anointing makes the difference! Being anointed with oil is an action of promise. That promise gives you protection, peace, rest, and provision. There is also deliverance and healing in God’s anointing. The oil of His word also helps you find your identity. We all know how vital our identity is. Our identity can kill us or prosper us. God will confront identity your identity. With His word, with His love, and with His anointing. If you do not like who are, get in his presence and He will change you. You will and you do, have the anointing upon your life and that sets you up to be transformed.
Anointing is so important, if you reflect on effects of the anointing throughout scripture, you will see how the anointing made the difference. Like Saul, the anointing left him, then the enemy was able to attack him. There is also David, he was anointed king, but the anointing came before he was given the position. The anointing on David, also made Saul turn on him. That anointing in you and on you makes you dangerous to the enemy. When you are anointed, there is purpose and that means trouble for the enemy. Anointing will call out and bring forth the person within you, and the calling on your life. God’s anointing draws people to us and away from us. You need to be ready for the anointing in every way.
This is why staying in the anointing is so critical. Every time you spend time in God’s word and with God, we are being filled and washed with his anointing. God also, pulls a better you out of you. But you must stay in the anointing. Spiritual wealth is a cup overflowing. How can you run over if you are not being filled?
Psalm 63:5, “I overflow with praise when I come before you, for the anointing of your presence satisfies me like nothing else. You are such a rich banquet of pleasure to my soul.” (TPT)
Pull up to Jesus’ table and feast on the goodness of Him. Stay under the fountain and at the table, to feast and overflow in His goodness.
Recent Comments