Psalm 23 Part 6 - The Banquet Table
David, the author of Psalm 23, takes a new path in his writing in verse 5. In the first four verses, David has made the point that he is a sheep, God is the shepherd, and a sheep needs its shepherd for EVERYTHING.
But God is not only a shepherd.
He is also a king.
Granted, the shepherd analogy is a good one to help us understand God. He is always with us, He loves us and protects us, He provides for us, and He is the source of all wisdom, blessing, and success.
But if we picture God as a shepherd only, we miss so much of who He is.
He always was and always will be. He created every single thing that exists, from the tiniest part of a cell to the most elaborate of stars in a galaxy so far away we'll never know they exist. He supports everything that has life and decides its time to die. He knows every single thing that goes on in the life of every single creature. He spins the planets, fills the oceans, and tells the clouds when to appear. He made each organism unique and amazingly wonderful. And even with all that power, wisdom, and ability, HE LOVES US enough to seek us out and desires to have a relationship with us.
When I think about this aspect of God, I realize that king actually falls short of who He is.
But in David's time, there was nothing bigger, smarter, wealthier, or more powerful than the king. That was the highest anyone could aspire to be. And it's worth noting that, though David was king, he recognized that he was not the end-all-be-all of rulers: he still answered to the one true King, God Almighty.
So in Psalm 23:5, David helps us understand what will come when we truly accept our identity as sheep and His position as Shepherd:
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over," (AMP).
You know Him your whole life as your Shepherd; but one day you'll see Him as He truly is: the High King.
King David knew this truth and talked about it regularly in his Psalms:
"All the families of the nations will bow down before You, for kingship belongs to the Lord; He rules over the nations." (22:27-28)
"Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle." (24:8)
"The Lord sat enthroned at the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever." (29:10)
It's a truth we can put our hope in: When you spend your life as a sheep who keeps her eyes on the Shepherd, one day you wake up in the banquet hall.
Jesus talked about this great feast:
"I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," (Matthew 8:11).
And we're not just invited to the party; we eat at the table with the Father. That's really a big deal. Eating at the King's table is an honor reserved only for His children.
(If you want to do a GREAT study on this concept, dig into the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4 and all of chapter 9.)
And if you are a sheep on earth, you are a princess in heaven. Clothed in righteousness. Identified as His child. Recognized as an honored guest with oil poured lavishly on your head (Luke 7:46) and drinking from a cup of Living Water that never runs out.
And this all occurs at what is certain to be the most glorious banquet ever held. All the sheep will be there, dressed in the righteousness of the blood of Christ. We'll watch our dazzling Hero, Jesus, ride into the great hall in all His glory, and we will see His name:
"KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS," (Revelation 19:11-16)
Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20). We can't wait for that banquet.
Please continue to follow me (@LeslieNotebook), sign up by email (top right corner), and email me at myleslienotebook@gmail.com
But God is not only a shepherd.
He is also a king.
Granted, the shepherd analogy is a good one to help us understand God. He is always with us, He loves us and protects us, He provides for us, and He is the source of all wisdom, blessing, and success.
But if we picture God as a shepherd only, we miss so much of who He is.
He always was and always will be. He created every single thing that exists, from the tiniest part of a cell to the most elaborate of stars in a galaxy so far away we'll never know they exist. He supports everything that has life and decides its time to die. He knows every single thing that goes on in the life of every single creature. He spins the planets, fills the oceans, and tells the clouds when to appear. He made each organism unique and amazingly wonderful. And even with all that power, wisdom, and ability, HE LOVES US enough to seek us out and desires to have a relationship with us.
When I think about this aspect of God, I realize that king actually falls short of who He is.
But in David's time, there was nothing bigger, smarter, wealthier, or more powerful than the king. That was the highest anyone could aspire to be. And it's worth noting that, though David was king, he recognized that he was not the end-all-be-all of rulers: he still answered to the one true King, God Almighty.
So in Psalm 23:5, David helps us understand what will come when we truly accept our identity as sheep and His position as Shepherd:
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over," (AMP).
You know Him your whole life as your Shepherd; but one day you'll see Him as He truly is: the High King.
King David knew this truth and talked about it regularly in his Psalms:
"All the families of the nations will bow down before You, for kingship belongs to the Lord; He rules over the nations." (22:27-28)
"Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle." (24:8)
"The Lord sat enthroned at the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever." (29:10)
It's a truth we can put our hope in: When you spend your life as a sheep who keeps her eyes on the Shepherd, one day you wake up in the banquet hall.
Jesus talked about this great feast:
"I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven," (Matthew 8:11).
And we're not just invited to the party; we eat at the table with the Father. That's really a big deal. Eating at the King's table is an honor reserved only for His children.
(If you want to do a GREAT study on this concept, dig into the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4 and all of chapter 9.)
And if you are a sheep on earth, you are a princess in heaven. Clothed in righteousness. Identified as His child. Recognized as an honored guest with oil poured lavishly on your head (Luke 7:46) and drinking from a cup of Living Water that never runs out.
And this all occurs at what is certain to be the most glorious banquet ever held. All the sheep will be there, dressed in the righteousness of the blood of Christ. We'll watch our dazzling Hero, Jesus, ride into the great hall in all His glory, and we will see His name:
"KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS," (Revelation 19:11-16)
Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20). We can't wait for that banquet.
Please continue to follow me (@LeslieNotebook), sign up by email (top right corner), and email me at myleslienotebook@gmail.com
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