Monday Reflection – August 24, 2020 God as Shepherd and Host

Monday Reflection – 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 Psalms of David. Most persons believe that this Psalm was written at a time of David’s maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. Henry Ward Beecher expresses the powerful impact of Psalm 23 in saying that “It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world… 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.” Psalm 23 has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those left behind to mourn.
 
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’s presence, especially in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death, and in the presence of evil (vs. 4). Even in a fearful place, the presence of the shepherd banishes the fear of evil because we are under the Lord’s care. The shepherd’s presence does not eliminate the presence of evil, but certainly the fear of evil.
 
In today’s Watchword, David affirms the Lord as Host. Continuing with the previous picture of the 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 table prepared for him. Clarke asserts that “A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host, who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security.” Table suggests bounty; prepare suggests foresight and care; and before me suggests the personal connection. The table is set right in the midst of the presence of my enemies. The Host’s care and concern does not eliminate the presence of my enemies, but enables the experience of God’s goodness and bounty even in their midst. Not just that, but despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoys the richness of his Host’s goodness. He is refreshed by a head anointed with oil; his cup is over-filled.

Jesus affirms this image of shepherd when de declared in John 10: 11 & 14 “I am the good shepherd”. 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.

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.

Jermaine Gibson