Last week I wrote about 2013 being the year of overflow. I have not been able to get that word, "overflow", out of my mind ever sense.
The Psalmist here knew that it really didn't matter what season of life he was in, God is always there to bring comfort, anointing, and blessing. "You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies." I love how it says it in the Message translation. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies." Now, does that mean God will actually prepare a meal for you in front of your enemies, no, it's a figure of speech. "Table" and "feast" imply the same thing in this passage and it implies "you supply my every need." Think about the comfort of sitting down to a meal; now imagine that same kind of comfort in the presence of your enemies. What the Lord spoke to me was it doesn't matter what's going on around you, how big your enemy appears I'm going to bring you comfort and supply every need right in the middle of where you're at! And not only just a meal but a feast, a six course dinner, that speaks of overflowing abundance to me.
The next part, "You honor me by anointing my head with oil." Guest of a banquet in the ancient world would be treated, by their host, to fine oils that would be used to anoint their foreheads. The purpose was to add to their countenance, brighten them up, and to add fragrance to the person and the room. So, the fragrance wasn't just for the person, it overflowed and filled the room, everyone could smell it. Oil also, due to the hot Middle Eastern climate, would help to preserve their complexion. With all this being said, you're a guest at a banquet and the host wants to anoint your head with oil, He wants to brighten you up, add some fragrance to your life that will overflow and be noticed by those around you. He wants to preserve you even in the middle of the hottest trial. Your cup will overflow with blessings!
Finally, "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." It doesn't matter what you face, where you go, or what you do, His goodness and unfailing love will always pursue you.
One thing I want you to keep in mind with this word, overflow. It has nothing to do with you or what you do. Yes, we have responsibilities and we know that. There are guidelines set in the Bible that direct us in the steps to take in order for certain things to take place in our lives. However, no benefit or promise from God is because "I do", it's because "He did." I don't prosper because I give; I prosper because He gave His only Son to die for me so that I could be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9: "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." I'm not healed because of anything that I do, I'm healed because of what He did. Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." You need to remove your "works" mindset and replace it with a "receiving" mindset.
We follow the guidelines given to us in the Bible because we love God and we want to please Him, not in order to get anything because He simply doesn't need us for a thing. Everything we need was accomplished on the cross. So, just receive overflowing blessings this week and in the weeks to come. Follow the steps he speaks for you to take, and always remember that everything you have, has nothing to do with anything YOU did and everything to do with all that HE has done.
Listen to the song I've included this week. It's a little over 10 minutes long but I encourage you to listen to the whole thing, I know you will be encouraged by it. God Bless! - Steve
