A table prepared in the presence of my enemy...

 Psalm 23 is probably one of the most well-know scriptures in the Bible. This week verse 5 that says "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies"  drew my attention.  Would it not have been so much more encouraging if it said "You prepare a table before me in the presence of My God?"  Surely I would really rather sit at a table and eat and have a feast in the presence of God than in the presence of my enemies?  

But then the second half of that same verse follows "You anoint my head with oil, My cup runs over".  As I was pondering this part with the first half of the verse I realised that shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was poured out and continues to be poured out on all believers.  So when we sit down at the table the Lord prepared for us in the presence of our enemies, we know that his anointing - the Holy Spirit - has been poured out in our spirits (on our heads) and therefore our cups runs over because He empowers us with His Spirit.  He has not left us alone to dine with the enemy - He is poured out on us in such closeness and intimacy that we are in His presence while sitting at the table that HE prepared for us - even if it is in the presence of our enemy.  There's a sense of defiance for me in this verse - something like - I am invited to sit at the table that God prepared for me with the full empowerment of His anointing on my head - in spite of the enemy's presence.  God knows who He is in us.  He knows He is victorious over the enemy.  He knows we can sit at that table in the full victory of Christ on the cross and the full empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  

Thought to ponder:

At who's table are you and I sitting?  Do we sit at the table God prepared for us and are we doing so in the full empowerment of Him anointing our head with the oil of the Holy Spirit?  Are our cups running over?  

Psalm 23 - Lize Wiid