Preparing the Table - Higher Ground

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Psalm 23:5


Often the conscientious shepherd actually prepared the tableland for his sheep in advance.

Going up to the highland summer pasture he would eliminate hazards, pulling poisonous plants, driving out wolves and other predators. Even sharp rocks hiding in the grasses would be located and removed, to avoid injury to the head of the sheep as they grazed. Carcasses of  other animals that would attract scavengers would be removed. All of this would be done before the sheep even arrived!

Even with enemies lurking nearby, the sheep had a place of safety.

If an insect bit the sheep, or if he was cut by sharp rock while grazing, the shepherd was there with oil to anoint his head and soothe and cleanse the injury.

In the Bible oil and wine speak of joy and prosperity. Growing olives and grapes and their transformation into oil and wine took time and gentle care.

In a land like Israel, hot and dry, the oil brought relief from the sun and wind. It soothed the skin, especially the face. And wine eased the parched throat.

"...wine to gladden his heart and oil to make his face shine..." we read in Psalm 104:15.

"Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love" (Psalm 31:16).

A shining face was the face of a friend.

When the Good Samaritan stopped to help the robbery victim, he "poured on him oil and wine and bandaged his wounds" in Luke 10.

David knew that his Good Shepherd provided for him abundantly, cared for him, and sought his safety. His own face was shining and his heart was merry because of his faith.

If we allow God to lead us to where He wants us to go, we will find He has prepared our place for us, and He has anointed our head will oil and filled our hearts to overflowing with the wine of true joy, writes James Montgomery Boice in his book on the 23rd Psalm. 




Then the King will say to those on His right, "Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world"
 (Matthew 25:34)

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him (1Corinthians 2:9).