- Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
This verse teaches us something amazing about God. He does not hide us away from our enemies or remove every difficult situation from our lives. Instead, He prepares a table for us right in the middle of those situations so that we can stay close to and connected to Him.
This promise is not only true for us as individuals. It is also true for us as husbands and wives walking the journey of life together in marriage.
Why prepare a table amidst our troubles?
As encouraging as these words are, they do make us wonder about the purpose: why prepare a table in the presence of our enemies? There are at least two important reasons.
1. God is King over everything
God is King. His authority is not limited by your enemies or by your circumstances. He can prepare a table anywhere He pleases, because He has sovereignty over all creation and everything in it. God is essentially saying, “Whatever the enemy is planning, it does not change who I am. I am still King.”
You can not avoid your enemies and the difficulties they bring; it is part of life. However, God invites you to sit down and enjoy fellowship with Him amidst the challenges you are enduring. In His presence, you can find safety and peace. Even though the enemy will try to attack you, he can not destroy what God protects.
The same is true in marriage. The enemy may bring conflict, disappointment, fear, hurt, financial pressure, or temptation. If you stay close to God as a couple and keep your eyes on Him, you will experience His protection and care.
2. God delights in His children
Just like a loving father is proud of his children, our Heavenly Father delights in us, despite our sin. He wants the enemy to know that no accusation against you has any power because you belong to Him. Through the blood of Jesus, you are united with Him, giving you permanent access to His table. Romans 8:1 says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
When God invites you to sit at His table, He is declaring that you are His child. No allegation, shame, or guilt can separate you from His love. You simply need to accept His invitation and walk closely with Him.
Obedience is key
Being invited to a table God has prepared, where you can experience His presence and protection is a great privilege. To enjoy this privilege requires that you remain obedient to Him.
As a married couple, your relationship with God should be at the center. Sin will separate you from God. However, when you walk in obedience and live by His Word, you will consistently experience His presence, peace, wisdom, and protection.
Experiencing God’s blessings
Being at God’s table also gave us access to His blessings.
He anoints your head with oil
In biblical times, being anointed with oil signified honour and blessing, showing that the person was chosen for a special purpose.
God has also chosen you for a specific purpose and equipped you to handle whatever comes your way. He has not left you to figure out how to navigate life’s challenges on your own. Through His Spirit, He gives you the wisdom, strength, and authority you need to overcome difficulties.
As a married couple, you are called to represent Him and to build a marriage that reflects His love. When you stay close to God, He will give you the tools to achieve this.
Your cup will overflow
“My cup overflows.”
What a beautiful and encouraging phrase. It paints a picture of abundance. God promises more than just enough. He not only gives you what you need for yourself – He also gives you enough to bless others.
In marriage, you are meant to bless one another. A healthy marriage will overflow with love, grace, forgiveness, patience, kindness, and encouragement. This applies even – and especially – when you are experiencing difficult times, keeping in mind the first part of the verse. God will bless you in the most unexpected ways when you are being challenged; you should do the same for one another and for those around you.
Keep your eyes on Jesus
This verse harks back to when Peter walked on water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he stayed above the waves. But as soon as he focused his attention on the storm around him, he began to sink.
Psalm 23:5 teaches us to keep our focus on the table God has prepared and on Him who sits at the head of the table, instead of on the enemies that surround the table. This is the place where He wants to spend time with you, speak to you, strengthen you, and share His heart with you so that you can deal with your difficulties the way He intends you to.
Help one another stay focused on the One who is in charge
There will always be enemies around the table as you navigate life as a married couple: financial pressures, stress, busyness, conflict, misunderstandings, hurt, disappointment, fear, anxiety, temptation, sickness, spiritual attacks – the list goes on.
However, you do not have to live in fear of being overcome by these enemies, because Jesus has already secured the victory. In Colossians 2:15 it say that Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, and triumphed over them. The enemies around the table may be real, but they are not in charge. Your enemies are under His feet.
As husband and wife, you need to help and encourage one another to keep your eyes on the table and on the One who sits at the head. There will always be storms, but there will also always be a place at His table. And in His presence, you will find peace, protection, joy, and everything you need to stand strong together.
Questions to think and talk about:
- Why do you think God prepares a table in the presence of your enemies instead of removing the enemies?
- What enemies are currently challenging your marriage?
- What does an “overflowing cup” look like in marriage?
- Which qualities do you think should overflow from your marriage to bless others?