Psalm 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Continuing the theme of God’s ability to provide, it is seen in this verse that God has no limits as to where and how He will meet your needs. Sometimes it seems He loves to come up with ways that you never thought of. Even in the presence of your enemies, He can provide. In Psalm 37:25, David said: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Oil was commonly used in the East in those days to prevent sunburn. Our Shepherd takes care of our need for food and provisions for our health. He knows our needs and loves us. We can ask Him and thank Him for His care.

Finally, this verse says that “my cup runneth over.” God’s provision is not meager – but abundant. It may not be the best – in the sense of steaks for every meal – but it will meet your needs. Be thankful for what He provides.

God’s people have His blessing when they seek to walk with and please Him. He is more than glad to meet your needs – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As His sheep, we could not have a better Caretaker.

Not only does He promise sufficient provision for this life, but also sufficient power to do all His will. His grace will always be enough – even in the time of trouble and sorrow. He has promised: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

In Psalm 23:2, it was seen that the Lord leads His sheep – particularly those that are close to Him to “green pastures,” and to “still waters.” These things refer to His loving provision for His sheep and the refreshment gained from them.

The green grass and waters refresh the body and help our mind to be at ease, knowing that He will take care of us. Today’s verse reveals that these things also help to restore our souls. It is a reference to our minds – thoughts, desires, motivations, etc.

The Lord does not expect us to serve or follow Him in our own strength. If we had to do so, we would quickly burn out and likely quit. The difference is that He does not drive us – He leads us, and along the way He provides us with some needed times of refreshment – and sufficient grace. Remember that after a busy day, Jesus told the disciples to “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Matthew 6:31).

Our Shepherd does this so that He may lead us “in the paths of righteousness.” He is not content just to lead us through this life. There is a goal He has in mind. It is more than just being useful. He plans to conform us to be like Himself along the way: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

The verse also reveals why He does this for us. It is so that His Name – His holy Name – may be honored by the way His sheep live. If there is a lack of willingness to please Him in what we do – chastisement will be coming. He wants us to be willing to honor Him with godly lives – that is the direction of His leading – not merely to fill a position.

If we tolerate sin, we cease to be able to hear Him. Confession restores the soul so that we can again hear His voice and follow.

One promise that believers of all ages have clung to in times of need is this promise in Philippians 4:19. God’s promise is that of provision – and it is based on His riches – not our bank accounts.

Personally, I have found this verse to be true over the decades that I have been a believer. He has never failed. There has been testing – and sometimes He did not provide when I thought He should – or, at least when I wanted Him to; nevertheless, it came when needed.

In spite of my desires for convenience, what I and my family have needed has always been there. The key to God’s provision is faith and being obedient.

God does not show His kindness to wayward children – or to those that are not His children. In Philippians, Paul gave this promise from God to believers that had given to support him in his ministry. God called their gift “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” vs. 18).

God’s gifts to meet our needs are not always financial. Sometimes He just makes things like clothes, appliances, cars, etc. – last longer so they do not need to be repaired or replaced. This saves money on your part – and your needs are less.

The Word of God cannot fail. If you are faithful to Him – including going to church, witnessing, and tithing, etc., His promise is for you. God’s desire is that we trust Him for our needs. It does not mean that getting a job is unnecessary, but always look to Him first in all decisions you make.

David, the man after God’s own heart, found many things to praise God for – even though he had a rough life at times. The trials of his life meant that he needed to do a lot of praying, which led to a lot of praising because God often answered and delivered: Psalm 28:6: “Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.”

Recently, I found that I had some needs that needed to be met quickly. I had no resources on hand and saw none coming in within the near future. Of course, this led to prayer; and, as the days passed, the need grew greater, and the more fervent the prayers became. No doubt, you have been there, too.

One promise that I often look to is found in Philippians 4:19, which says: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” As we serve Him, He has promised to provide our needs. By grace, sometimes, He will impress us by doing above and beyond what we may ask for – and I have often seen Him do this. He did it this time in answer to the need. Praise His Name for it!

If you are praying for something and have not seen an answer yet, make sure that you have a right to an answer. If you are living in His will – not just what you choose to do – and sin is confessed, then He has promised to answer. It will come – believe it. A similar verse that promises His provision is found in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Once God answers your prayers, be sure to spend some time thanking Him for it. Also, while praying, be sure to include some intercession for others – your church, and for our nation.

Salvation was fully paid by Christ for you

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

One thing that stands out throughout the pages of the Bible is that God is consistent. After Adam and Eve had sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised to send a Savior one day that would undo all that Satan and sin had done.

God then showed Adam and Eve how to sacrifice animals so that their sin could be temporarily covered. After this, the idea spread among all people through the ages – and the concept is nearly universal that some kind of sacrifice must be made before sin can be forgiven. Moses later wrote about this principle in Leviticus 17:11:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make   an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”

Animal sacrifices were never part of God’s plan as the ultimate solution. It was only temporary.

Once again, because “the wages of sin is death” – by God’s decree – there is nothing else that can wash away sin but blood. God will never change from this position. Good works, and even religious works, cannot remove sin: Ephesians 2:8,9 says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Notice in the above verse that salvation is a “gift.” Gifts are not earned or paid for by the recipient. They are given free of charge.

Christ is the Gift that God gave for salvation. Forgiveness for sin only comes through Jesus Christ because only He paid the full price for our sin. A church cannot give it; an ordinance (Baptism or the Lord’s Supper) cannot convey it.

As a Gift, it must be received. You receive His forgiveness and salvation by calling on Him in prayer, confessing that you are a sinner to God, then asking Him in faith to save you because Christ died and rose again for you. When you do – and genuinely want to obey Him – He will do the rest:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”