It's Complicated(S1) : WK 1 - FRI
(Psalm 23:6)WEEK 1: DAY 4 (Psalm 23:5, 1 Samuel 17:37)
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5
37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Samuel 17:37
Ok, we’re going to take today’s passages one at a time, both have much to teach us.
Psalm 23:5 always seems to be oddly placed in a passage that mostly is about peace and protection. I mean, why is the Shepherd preparing a feast in the presence of David’s enemies?
There actually may be a tie between this verse and David’s confidence in his comments about facing Goliath. In Psalm 23:5, David is saying that God takes care of him even when he is surrounded by his enemies, and that even in these circumstances, David always has much to be thankful for. The anointing of the head with oil was a blessing, and when the cup meant to catch the oil overflowed, it meant that your life had more blessings than you can count.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
God pursues David while David pursues God, but also fights his carnal nature that pursues violence, victory, validation, and the spoils that come with being a champion.
But David is also a shepherd, and somehow he knows that if he can just continue to follow God like the sheep follow him, God will continue to have space for him to rest. In fact, as David continues to pursue God, somehow he knows that one day, he will dwell with God forever.
I actually had this verse hit me in a new way during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to discern what God’s will was for my family and I. We had a big decision to make that would impact us in many ways, but God’s leading wasn’t clear; doors of opportunity were opening in both directions and we didn’t know what to do.
As I wrestled, I came across this verse that David penned, and it reminded me that no matter what decision we made, we could pursue God from anywhere and dwell with him…anywhere. Somehow, that took the pressure off the decision and allowed me to have a bit more peace.
I’m so excited about how this sermon series will unfold. I am proud to be a part of a church that is willing to have the tough conversations, to spend time in the grey areas of life, to even address topics that we may not have all the answers for, but at least we’re not afraid to have the conversation.
Life is complicated, but thankfully, the one who created us can help us navigate even the most confusing of times. May we have the courage to continually pursue the one who pursues us, even when we struggle to know where to start.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Psalm 23:5
37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”” I Samuel 17:37
Ok, we’re going to take today’s passages one at a time, both have much to teach us.
Psalm 23:5 always seems to be oddly placed in a passage that mostly is about peace and protection. I mean, why is the Shepherd preparing a feast in the presence of David’s enemies?
There actually may be a tie between this verse and David’s confidence in his comments about facing Goliath. In Psalm 23:5, David is saying that God takes care of him even when he is surrounded by his enemies, and that even in these circumstances, David always has much to be thankful for. The anointing of the head with oil was a blessing, and when the cup meant to catch the oil overflowed, it meant that your life had more blessings than you can count.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6
God pursues David while David pursues God, but also fights his carnal nature that pursues violence, victory, validation, and the spoils that come with being a champion.
But David is also a shepherd, and somehow he knows that if he can just continue to follow God like the sheep follow him, God will continue to have space for him to rest. In fact, as David continues to pursue God, somehow he knows that one day, he will dwell with God forever.
I actually had this verse hit me in a new way during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to discern what God’s will was for my family and I. We had a big decision to make that would impact us in many ways, but God’s leading wasn’t clear; doors of opportunity were opening in both directions and we didn’t know what to do.
As I wrestled, I came across this verse that David penned, and it reminded me that no matter what decision we made, we could pursue God from anywhere and dwell with him…anywhere. Somehow, that took the pressure off the decision and allowed me to have a bit more peace.
I’m so excited about how this sermon series will unfold. I am proud to be a part of a church that is willing to have the tough conversations, to spend time in the grey areas of life, to even address topics that we may not have all the answers for, but at least we’re not afraid to have the conversation.
Life is complicated, but thankfully, the one who created us can help us navigate even the most confusing of times. May we have the courage to continually pursue the one who pursues us, even when we struggle to know where to start.
- What does it mean to you to be pursued by God?
- In what ways do you pursue Him back? What practices are most meaningful to you?
- When life gets complicated, where do you turn for help? Guidance?
by Pastor Paddy McCoy
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