Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.(v. 5)

Let’s just accept the reality that “enemies” are always going to be with us. Whatever “enemies” are – irritating people, challenging circumstances, sickness, frustrations, evil. Or as Scott Peck said in The Road Less Traveled: “Life is Difficult.” And so it is. So, I’m trying to alleviate the illusion from my life that I can somehow create a problem-free world. Won’t happen.

And David knew that. Notice, though, how he creatively surrounds his “enemies.” Or, better said, how God surrounds them: First by preparing a table of food, then by anointing with the oil of blessing and finally filling his cup with the wine of rejoicing to overflowing.

Practically, what does this mean?

1. The table tells me that life needs to go on as normal – eating and drinking. And here’s another truth, one that we mostly all know but can get careless with: the family that sits at the table and eats together experiences a greater sense of connection and, dare we say, blessing. You take the time to ask about each other’s day, the ups and downs, and, over time the threads of connection weave a strong tapestry that will hold – even when, or especially when “enemies” come.
2. When we humbly bow our heads, they are more receptive to the oil of God’s blessing, and
3. When we come to God with an awareness that, in ourselves, our cups are empty, then God is able to fill it.

Why not pray today for someone or more some ones – that in the fellowship of a meal, God might be present, that God’s blessings might flow over their head and that God’s joy might fill their empty cups. Amen