- From the Twenty-Third Psalm
When I was a kid, and a member of and regular attendee at the Penfield Advent Christian Church in New York, I remember that the congregation recited the entire 23rd Psalm every week, as a part of the service. It had the same status as The Lord's Prayer; sort of an Old Testament version of a highly important and catch-all passage.
It's interesting that everyone talks about the violence and vice in the Old Testament. Humanity is not portrayed well. Even the heroes: Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, had serious moral lapses.
But this most famous of all chapters in the Old Testament conveys the opposite of all the Old Testament's barrage of harsh language and characters. It is comforting and soothing. And while Christ had not been born yet . . . the picture running through my mind, is of a walk with Him, The Lord, the Son of God, the King of Kings, in a beautiful mountain meadow, or peaceful garden. Adam may have written it, as a reflection of a good day with God, in the Garden of Eden.
Consider the highlight words from the passage - - - action verbs that describe God's treatment of us:
- Shepherd
- Lie down
- Still waters
- Revives
- Guides
- Comfort
- Anointed
- Goodness
- Mercy
- Forever
Even when enemies are mentioned, it is in the context of the Lord setting a table for us. Our enemies are within view of it. It's not about the meal; and it's not about rubbing it in our enemies' faces. In ancient Middle Eastern times, a table represented dialogue, or people coming together. The table was inviting. Good people welcomed even strangers to their table. You relaxed, enjoyed great food and company. There are no enemies around the dinner table.
God doesn't just take care of our enemies for us. He invites them to the dinner He has provided for us. He smiles and asks us all to sit down, talk, relax, and enjoy peace and safety.
Maybe this is what should be on our mind, when we bow our heads before eating.
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