Monday Reflection \u2013 August 24, 2020
God as Shepherd and Host
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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
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Undoubtedly, Psalm 23 is one of the most loved Psalms of David.\u00a0Most persons believe that this Psalm was written at a time of David\u2019s maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. Henry Ward Beecher expresses the powerful impact of Psalm 23 in saying that \u201cIt has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world\u2026 It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner and broken his chains.\u201d Psalm 23 has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those left behind to mourn.
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Psalm 23 affirms the Lord as Shepherd who sustains (vs. 1-2), and who leads (vs. 3). There is also the gift of the Shepherd\u2019s presence, especially in the midst of the\u00a0valley of the shadow of death, and in the presence of evil (vs. 4).\u00a0Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banishes the\u00a0fear\u00a0of evil because we are under the Lord\u2019s care. The shepherd\u2019s presence does not eliminate the\u00a0presence\u00a0of evil, but certainly the\u00a0fear of evil.
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In today\u2019s Watchword, David affirms the Lord as Host. Continuing with the previous picture of\u00a0the valley of the shadow of death, David envisions the provision and goodness given by the Lord as a host who invites David to a rich\u00a0table\u00a0prepared for him. Clarke asserts that \u201cA magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host, who has not only the\u00a0bounty\u00a0to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by\u00a0enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security.\u201d Table suggests\u00a0bounty;\u00a0prepare\u00a0suggests\u00a0foresight and care;\u00a0and\u00a0before me\u00a0suggests the personal connection. The\u00a0table\u00a0is set right in the midst of\u00a0the presence of my enemies. The Host\u2019s care and concern does not eliminate\u00a0the presence of my enemies,\u00a0but enables the experience of God\u2019s goodness and bounty even in their midst. Not just that, but despite the dangers about and the\u00a0presence\u00a0of\u00a0enemies, David enjoys the richness of his Host\u2019s goodness. He is refreshed by a\u00a0head\u00a0anointed\u00a0with oil; his\u00a0cup\u00a0is over-filled.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jesus affirms this image of shepherd when de declared in John 10: 11 & 14 \u201cI am the good shepherd\u201d. Jesus also spoke of the Great Banquet in St. Luke 14. What a priviledge to have the Lord as our Shepherd and Host! Our Shepherd and Host sustains, leads, guides, protects, provides and blesses in overflowing measure. There is not a safer and better place to be than in the care of the Shepherd and Host. There goodness and mercy follow us forever.<\/p>\n\n\n
May we seek after our Lord always and enjoy the pleasure of his shepherding and hosting. The result is abundant life in the here and now and eternal life in the next.<\/p>\n\n\n
Jermaine Gibson\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday Reflection \u2013 August 24, 2020 God as Shepherd and Host You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 Undoubtedly, Psalm 23 is one of the most loved\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[10],"class_list":["post-301","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-leadership"],"yoast_head":"\n