In this third section we approach the conclusion of Psalm 23. And we should approach it as we might approach a sacred place—in reverence, in awe and with great expectations. It will not let
us down.We begin this section at a table, a table that has been prepared by our Lord, the Good Shepherd. "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my foes." Reading these words I immediately
think of a banquet table. And indeed, one in particular. I once attended a banquet in Shanghai and I will never forget the colors of the fish, meats, vegetables and fruit that were laid out, the beauty of the china and porcelain
dishes, the pungent aroma of the spices, and the exotic flowers. Every detail was so exquisite. This table in Shanghai had been dutifully prepared for someone special. And yet as beautiful as
that table was, it pales in comparison with the table my Lord has prepared for me!
But wait a minute, what does it say? My Lord has prepared such a table for me? Yes, for me. It
should be the other way around—I should be honoring my Lord and preparing a banquet for Him. And yet in His infinite love He has prepared this table of necessities and gifts for me. He has laid
them all out for me, and I have all that I need to live. I have the wonders of His creation all around me, and I have the gifts of grace and forgiveness and salvation. And all of this is laid out
for all to see, friend and foe alike.
Upon the cross, with arms outstretched, He prepared all of this for me. And for you. We should
continually give thanks each day, and just as He has prepared all of this for the entire world to see, so we should openly acknowledge our Lord and give thanks for the whole world to see.
"You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows." I am anointed with the oil of forgiveness! And with that thought, I am reminded of our Lord's words recorded by Luke; "Forgive and you will be
forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."
My life should be one of forgiving and of giving. Of putting others first. Of recognizing that as God has forgiven me, I am to forgive those around me. Yes, I know that this is not easy. But as
we try to live this, we will see the extent to which our lives are filled with God's love. And Jesus used such a beautiful illustration of this.
Think of salt for a moment. Salt was a precious commodity at the time of Jesus, a commodity that would have been carefully weighed out. Now think of this salt in the frame of Jesus'
illustration and imagine someone measuring out salt. The cup was filled to the brim and could have been handed over like that. But the giver wants to give a generous measure and so the salt
is pressed down in the cup to make room for more. The cup is refilled. But the giver in not yet finished. He puts his hand over the cup and shakes the salt down making room for more. And
again the cup is filled—filled to the brim and even over flowing! Such is the way that God gives love and forgiveness and all the good things of life to you and to me! Indeed, my cup overflows.
And now the Psalmist reaches his conclusion. "Surely goodness and love [some translations read goodness and mercy] will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever." Please make sure that you notice the assuredness of the Psalmists understanding. He does not say that "hopefully goodness and love will follow me..." Neither does he say that
"surely goodness and love may follow me ..." Our writer is so confident of the Good Shepherd's love and faithful care that he can use the words "surely" and "will." "Surely goodness and love
will follow me all the days of my life!" For the rest of my life, there is absolutely no doubt that God's goodness and love will be with me.
But what of after this life? Well, if you have followed along so far, then you will not be surprised that the Psalmist is as sure about the afterlife as he is about this life! All of his confidence and
faith extend beyond that dark valley of death. He is absolutely sure that his permanent residence will be in God's house. "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." The entire Psalm builds to
that statement of faith and trust. Can you make such a bold statement about your eternity?
Just before the crucifixion, the disciples were not sure what was about to happen. In the 13th
chapter of his Gospel, John tells us how Jesus lovingly began to prepare them. And then in the opening words of the next chapter, John records these comforting and assuring words of Jesus:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am."
I began these notes by saying that the words of Psalm 23 can bring comfort in mourning and
grief, strength in times of weakness, and always hope in times of despair. And so they do. But how much more powerful are those words of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
My prayer for you is that just as the Psalmist did, that you can personalize your faith and that you can trust the Lord in this life and for eternity. Amen.
In this third section we approach the conclusion of Psalm 23. And we should approach it as we might approach a sacred place—in reverence, in awe and with great expectations. It will not let
us down.