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TOPIC 7: PSALM 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd
Reflections on Psalm 23 and the pastoral words of Jesus
1. The Lord is my Shepherd

Life with God in His Spirit


PSALM 23:5
Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.

Imagine a prince has invited you to a banquet in his castle. You put on your most festive clothes and off you go, full of anticipation. Then you arrive at the castle and are led into the brightly lit ballroom. You wait until the Lord comes. As he enters, he greets you personally. You are seated with him at a table and have the privilege of communion with him, which only a few have.

Suddenly a cry is resounding through the room: "The enemy is attacking! He is using rockets and airplanes! An army is approaching the castle! "War has broken out. The castle will be surrounded. You want to rip off your festive clothes and throw yourself into battle, but just then the ruler lays his hand on your shoulder, smiles and says: "Sit! Stay! Be quiet! I am here. This is my business. Today I have invited you to the party. Now we will celebrate, and we will not be disturbed. Now we want to eat, drink and be merry together." But if you should stammer and say:" Yes, sir, but the enemy ...", he will reply "Be strong! I am here. My power is greater than you know. Let the enemy rage around us. They will not break through to us!"

David uses this image of a mighty ruler at the banquet to show how you can still be completely safe when the evil enemy tries to pull you out of communion with God. The Almighty is with you. No power in this world or the next will be able to detach you from His protection. Maybe the Lord will open your eyes, just as Elisha pleaded for Gehazi, so that he could see how the mountain, on which they lived, was guarded by countless fiery horses and chariots. He then came to understand: "Those who are with us are more than those who are against us " (2 Kings 6:16). That is why the Almighty says to you: "Stay calm. Sit down. Eat and drink, and do not let anything disturb you. I'm with you. "And if the enemy should approach ever so close to the castle of God, and their hellish laughter penetrate up to your ear, and it seem they are about to tear you apart, then look up to the King. He looks into your eyes, without words, as if He wants to say to you: "Stay firm, and have no fear. I have overcome the world. I am the Almighty. Why do you doubt? I have redeemed you, I have called you by name. You are Mine (Isaiah 43:1). No one will snatch you out of My hand!"

Maybe your enemies will pursue you. They will use cunning, sometimes brutal violence. Have you seen their rapidly growing numbers? The Lord asks you to remain quiet and be of good cheer, for He Himself, the Almighty, is with you. He has invited you to attend His feast. You are His chosen guest. Heaven and earth may perish, but you shall not be shaken. He, the living God, is with you (Matthew 24:35).

No man can produce such a faith by himself. Only the Spirit of God can bring about such confidence and maintain it. King David refers to this mystery with the words:

PSALM 23:5
5 … Thou anointest my head with oil …

In the Old Testament, priests, kings and prophets were anointed with fragrant oil. It was the sign of reception of the Spirit of God, so that His authority and wisdom, His power and love would be alive in the chosen one, thus enabling him to carry out his duties regarding the flock of God. Jesus was not the first one to be anointed. Before Him there were many "messiahs" anointed with the Spirit of God, proclaiming God's word and carrying out His deeds. But Jesus is unlike any of His anointed predecessors. In Him are grouped together all divinely ordained offices, powers and authorities. He declared: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the sick and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).

Since Jesus Christ has reconciled the world to God, has ascended to Him and is now representing us to the Father of all mercy, He has received the right to pour out the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Those who follow Jesus will freely receive His Spirit. Whoever joins His flock will be anointed with the oil of gladness, and he that believeth on Him will be justified, redeemed and blessed. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is the power of true Christians. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:9 and 14).

Ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Then your conscience will be clean, your heart will be pure, your mind will be happy and your life will be a sacrifice to God. Ask the good Shepherd to join you to His flock and you will receive from Him eternal life. Christians are anointed, because Christ, the Anointed, has anointed them with His Holy Spirit. The Quran points out this fact in Surah 57:27: "We put in the hearts of those who follow him (the son of Mary), mercy and compassion." This is the anointing that has been received only by the followers of Christ.

PSALM 23:5
5 … My cup runneth over.

The psalmist and singer continued his testimonial prayer using the image of a great, divine feast. There is no shortage and no fear, just an abundance of gifts and talents. This picture does not mean that Christians should drink lots of wine. The apostle Paul wrote explicitly: "Do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). The full cup is a symbol of the fullness of the Spirit, received by the followers of Jesus. They receive not only enough for themselves, but also plenty for others. There is grace in abundance. The blessing of God does not stop. The loyalty of the King remains forever!

The promise of the overflowing cup of Psalm 23 refers also to the chalice of salvation, which Jesus Christ initated for the forgiveness of sins for His disciples in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 11:25). All that belong to Him need daily cleansing in following the good Shepherd. Because they themselves have been cleansed, they are able to offer the grace of justification freely to all people. Many have yet to break through to the experience of salvation in their own hearts. The blood of Jesus Christ can remove even the most persistent dirt from the remotest corner of a heart - according to the promise of the prophet Isaiah (1:18): Thou your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as wool.

Have you received forgiveness of all your sins? Have you gotten rid of your sins, or are you still plagued with doubt concerning your salvation? Do the images of past sins rise up in your mind or are you bothered by the temptations of your youth? Jesus, the good Shepherd, gives free and full forgiveness and promises a thorough cleaning of your soul. Take and drink from the cup of salvation. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses you unto eternal life. He gives you strength to live a holy life through His abundance.

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