40 Days of Promise | Day 10

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Promise
Day 10 | Overflowing | Psalm 23:5
Overflowing
Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

As you read this verse and try to imagine the picture, and if you’re like me, you might be saying, “Really?  LORD, you want to provide a feast for me even in front of my enemies?”
Another translation says it thus: “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.”

What extraordinary confidence such a meal would mean!  Most of us would run and hide, but the LORD, our LORD, our SHEPHERD, has a different perspective.

But, to understand WHY He tells us that we CAN enjoy rest, peace, confidence, and a full meal of refreshment despite the circumstance, we need to finish the verse.

“You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

Other translations say it this way:

“You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.” (MSG)

“You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” (NLT)

“You have welcomed me as your guest. Blessings overflow!” (LB)

To understand why the oil is such a big deal, you need to get the symbolism in Scripture. In the Bible, oil is often used to symbolize God the Holy Spirit.  And thus another translation says it this way:

“You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows.” (TPT)

So, our Shepherd wants to fill us with God the Holy Spirit and HE is MORE than enough for any situation.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for providing for me the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  Help me to say YES to Him and His leading and forgive me for the times I haven’t.  Amen.