Abundant Grace DailySample

Lavish Table

Psalm 23:5

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

From green paddocks, still ponds, and dangerous ravines (v.1-4), we find ourselves seated at a laden table (v.5). The word picture moves from that of Yahweh as a caring Shepherd to that of a competent Host; from a pasture to a table. Just as we, as sheep, have to walk through dark valleys, so too we, as guests, have to keep in mind that we are constantly surrounded by enemies.

Verse 5 amplifies Yahweh’s abundant provision. This is no poorly planned and disorganized table. A great deal of thought has gone into this meal. The table is groaning with good food.

The guests are well cared for as well. As they arrive, their heads are anointed with the finest oil. And, in contrast to the wedding Jesus attended in Cana (John 2:1-11), there are drinks aplenty. As soon as the glasses are half full, they are filled to overflowing. I've attended wedding breakfasts where the food and beverages ran out. Not here! Here, there is an abundance of both.

And that is so true of God's grace.

Note how Paul describes it in Ephesians 1:6-7: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." It is sumptuous grace, lavish grace.

Here's what John says about the grace of the Lord Jesus our Good Shepherd: “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:16).” In other words, his grace, like wave after wave on the seashore, just keeps rolling in. It never stops.

This verse reminds me of King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was crippled when he was five. David graciously arranged for Mephibosheth to have a permanent seat at his well-stocked table. 2 Samuel 9:11 records: “So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the King’s sons.” Abundant grace daily!

What does this mean for you and me on a day-to-day basis? Perpetual well-being? Unending prosperity? Unlimited wisdom? Does it make us perpetually healthy, wealthy, and wise?

No. The biblical stories of Job, Jeremiah, and Paul dispel that very attractive notion. Job wrestled with God over ill-health. Jeremiah was overwhelmed with sorrow, and Paul had an unrelenting thorn in his flesh. However, all three of them drank from God’s unfathomable well of grace, despite life’s challenges.

It means that there is more than adequate and undeserved strength from God available, whether we have plenty or not enough. Paul’s testimony was that, whether he were poor or had plenty, he had learned to be content.

This month, my wife and I are celebrating 50 years of full-time Christian ministry. We have experienced times of adequate financial support and seasons of great financial need. We have had extended seasons of really good health, and, in my case, a disease that took me to the edge of the “valley of the shadow.” Through it all, our testimony is captured in the first line of Psalm 23—Because the LORD is our Shepherd, we have had everything we really needed.

The challenge of Psalm 23:5 is to live with an abundant mindset in a fallen world where scarcity is prevalent. The abundant mindset is focused, not on our adequacy, but on God’s sufficiency. There are times of inadequacy, when we are surrounded by enemies and difficulties, but we keep leaning into the ever-sufficient One.

“My grace,” our ever compassionate, always available God whispers, “is more than adequate. It’s abundant.”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my ever-generous Host, please open my eyes to see your lavish table when I am feeling inadequate. Teach me to rest in your sufficiency when the Enemy encircles me. I lift my cup to you again, that you would fill it to overflowing. Lord Jesus, I’ve proved over and over that, without you, I can achieve nothing. But with you, all things are possible. Amen

Reflection:

To what extent can you say with the Psalmist, Return, O my soul, to your rest: for the LORD has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 16:7)? Why or why not?

Action: Write out or say a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s abundant, ever-sufficient grace.