Psalm 23:5 NIV
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
I’ve always found this verse jars with the rest of the Psalm; why prepare us a banquet in front of our enemies? The banquet I get, God loves a party doesn’t he, but why are they here – is this a vindictive act of vengeance? That doesn’t feel like God. Maybe instead it’s like Jesus’ baptism when God spoke saying ‘this is my son with whom I am well pleased’, an act of affirmation. Is God saying to us, you are mine and safe with me, and to our enemies, this is my child, leave her/him alone? That feels more like it. Perhaps there’s also invitation involved, it’s not here’s a banquet that you can’t join in, but here’s a banquet that you could share if you change your mind and swap sides (that is what repent means after all). God is always saying come follow me…
Thank you that you don’t leave us alone in our suffering, but affirm and encourage us. Help us even in those times to reach out to others as you do.
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