Monthly Archives: April 2022

Today I’d like to revisit the 23rd Psalm; the fifth verse in particular.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ~ Psalm 23:5 KJV

Have you ever wondered what the anointing of our heads signifies? A dinner invitation I understand. And I definitely appreciate the effort expended by a host or hostess to prepare a meal and set an inviting table. But anointing my head with oil doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. It’s just not part of our modern culture; but it was very much a part of King David’s.

I believe it’s important to understand the cultural references in scripture so that we can apply the intent behind them to our own lives. So, I did a little research.

Got Questions thoroughly decodes the imagery in the 23rd Psalms. I really couldn’t explain it better myself, and know I would have left out or incorrectly stated it if I’d tried. So I hope you will follow the link below and read what they have to say. I hope you will soak up the true meaning of the Lord’s table—the significance of His invitation and anointing. I truly believe it’s worth your time.

https://www.gotquestions.org/you-anoint-my-head-with-oil.html

Your place at the table and the anointing of the Lord not only prepare you for the day ahead through His leading, guiding and equipping you to navigate this fallen world—it will give you hope in a world full of hopeless problems. Problems only the Lord is truly capable of fixing!

At the Lord’s table we find hope that the Lord—the Way Maker, the self-existent, all powerful Creator of all things—will make a way where there seems to be no way. We also find hope for eternity when our preordained number of days, or those of a loved one, expire. Short of the rapture death is the future we all face.

We need hope!

When we ignore or disdain the invitation to take the seat we are offered at the Lord’s table, we are literally robbing ourselves of wisdom, guidance, protection and provision. We are forfeiting hope and joy and experiencing the love of God.

Are you lonely? Confused, Discouraged? Defeated?

Are you afraid? Angry? Envious? Or in need?

Take it to the Lord’s table where He will anoint your head with the oil of honor and joy.

Don’t underestimate or forsake the value in putting your feet under His table!

Commit to doing it daily through Bible study and prayer. I promise that over time you will recognize the value in doing so.

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*This not an endorsement for the Curt Landry Ministries. I am not familiar with this ministry and it’s doctrinal beliefs.

**Ephesians 6:12 NLT

I was scrolling through Facebook a few days ago and came across an ad for Curt Landry Ministries.* The beautiful memes on their post caught my attention; but the verbiage captured my heart.

The Lord has prepared a table for you. . .

Those words invoke a longing deep within my spirit. Immediately an echo of scripture memorized ages ago begins to flit through my mind. It has an appealing cadence and I am reminded . . .

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ~ Psalm 23:1 KJV

How often I forget that the Lord, my shepherd, has prepared a table for me!

Because the 23rd Psalm is quoted so frequently at funerals, I tend to associate it with death.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ~ Psalm 23:4 KJV

I believe that many others, like myself, miss the true application of this short Psalm for our daily lives.

Verse 4 sets the stage for the daily application of the entire Psalm.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. ~ Psalm 23:5a KJV

I truly can’t imagine receiving an individual invitation to dine with the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead I picture big heavenly banquets like the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where I am but one of many heavenly guests, and an insignificant one at that.

However, that’s not an accurate biblical point of view. Certainly I am one of many believers striving to follow the example set by Christ in daily living, but scripture is filled with narratives of personal encounters with Jesus. Scripture makes it clear that I am individually important to Him—that I have His undivided attention—and through the incomprehensible mysteries of His true divine nature and power, so do you!

He is a very personal God.

He actually does issue me a personal invitation to dine at a table He’s prepared especially for me every single day! Amid a world filled with millions of people—many of whom exercise great power and influence—He calls me.

My footprint in this world is very small. Many would proclaim me insignificant. Yet Jesus intentionally sets His sights upon me, Janet Boxx. Then He issues an invitation, not just to follow Him around in awe of all He does and is capable of doing so that I can tell others about Him, but also to sit down with Him and share a meal He’s prepared in advance especially for me. He plans for me! He knows what I like. He wants to spend time with me and hear what’s going on in my world from my perspective and my own mouth. He doesn’t ask an Angel to report back to Him about my life. He, Himself, is well aware of the nourishment and guidance I desperately need and makes time for me. How amazing is that?!!!

The fact that I have faith at all is the result of the God taking notice of me and unveiling my eyes so that I would see and believe on the Savior who died to save my soul.

When David wrote this Psalm he was speaking spiritual truth to himself. He was quieting his fears for the present and the future with reminders of God’s presence, promises and power. He was encouraging himself with the hope his faith in God made a certain reality, not wishful thinking.

I need to speak spiritual truth to myself!

You need to speak spiritual truth to yourself!

David’s words hold a universal truth for all believers, meaning that you and I need to let the personal nature of God’s invitation, His calling, soak deeply into our souls. This is how I should interpret and meditate on the truth of Psalm 23:5a:

You, Lord Jesus, prepare a table for me, Janet Boxx, every single day. You do this before my enemies (“…[the] evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…[the] mighty powers in this dark world, and…[the] evil spirits in the heavenly places.”**), against whom I wrestle, have been vanquished, equipping me for the day ahead!

There is indeed value in putting your feet under His table. He’s calling you to do so, through daily Bible study and prayer every single day!

Can I encourage you to accept His invitation and bask in His presence with you?

*This not an endorsement for the Curt Landry Ministries. I am not familiar with this ministry and it’s doctrinal beliefs.

**Ephesians 6:12 NLT