Psalm 23:5b “You anoint my head with oil;”
[A shepherd anointed his sheep to protect them from flies, to heal them, to protect them from head-butting damage. Your anointing of us, Lord Jesus, is the act of choosing, of giving worth, of blessing, of providing and protecting.
–You chose me before the foundation of the world.
–You had your Spirit convict me of my need for you.
–You poured out your Spirit on me at the point of belief.
–You sealed my adoption by placing your Spirit in me.
–You pour out on me unending blessings of grace, goodness, wisdom, weakness and power.
–Every day you provide me with protection, guidance, insight, goods, money, relationships, opportunities to give you glory, chances to share your Word, time to be with you, and enough health to serve you as you desire now.
–And most of all, you give me your presence and love in a rich and enduring relationship, the one for which you created me.
You are amazingly gracious and generous, for in my natural state, I actually deserved the opposite of all this: condemnation, rejection, punishment, suffering, pain, failure, depression, despair, hopelessness, separation and eternal death.
Praise be to you Lord, for your gracious, glorious goodness that you pour out on the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve who come to you to be the sons and daughters of the living God!]
“my cup overflows.”
[You promise that my all needs will be met, but you usually give far more. Nothing I have can contain the blessings you pour out. Your gifts overflow in my life so I can share them with others. Some of these gifts are joy, praise, peace, insight, wisdom, strength, faith, vision, love, grace and goodness. Along with these are material gifts, which I can then share with others.
So, we bow before you in belief, Heavenly Father, exalting your high and holy Name. We rise up in faith, trusting in your goodness and wisdom. We move into this day in trust, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving so that we may honor you and open the way that you may show us the salvation of the Lord.
And I have opportunity to practice this right now, as yesterday I got a big bill for my visit to the emergency room last month. I can rest in you in the midst of this surprise, trust you to work this out and provide in whatever way you choose. It is wonderful to face difficulties with you, knowing you will carry us through.
Praise you for what you will do in the coming days, Lord, as you lead us in paths of righteousness, and for how we will be able to trust you in everything that comes because you are absolutely faithful, unchanging in your generosity, goodness and grace. Amen.]
