SCRIP-BITS

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.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful morning! It’s also Friday, which means shouts of joy will be heard all around the world: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’  Yes my people, the end of the workweek is nigh, so let’s give God some thanks for that and humbly ask for blessings of rejuvenation on the weekend. All together now, in full voice, let’s raise our Friday Chant to God in heaven, where Jesus sits beside Him, ready to go to bat for us. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ And by the time the last echoes of Amen, reached heaven, Jesus was already pleading our case. And all God’s people gratefully declared: ‘Oh thank You Jesus! You are most worthy to be praised!’ And that for sure He is my brethren! He’s certainly a chip off the old block, the Father, who, in the words of our Bit, so favours His faithful children, that Bruh David gushed: ‘Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.’ Oh Friends, what a most magnanimous God we worship! I can’t get over how good He is to us, though we’re so undeserving of His LOVING-kindness. Yuh know, we’re not only dependent on Him like a mere dumb sheep, looking for a safe and sensible guide or shepherd, but we’re also honoured guests at the sumptuous banquet He holds for us, right in the middle of our enemies too, so that they can all witness His immense power and glory, and the great and plentiful blessings He pours out on those who walk in His will by faith. And per the scholars, ‘connected with this honoured position is abundant provision, vindication before one’s enemies, and eternal celebration of God’s goodness.’ Wow Friends! Our God is wonderful! There is no doubting it. And I’m sure all of us at some time or another have enjoyed one of those sumptuous feasts prepared for us in the midst of our enemies. Now this not only refers to actual food, but also to occasions and circumstances where we’ve been wronged, falsely accused, or persecuted, but we’ve stood strong and waited for God’s vindication right in the presence of those who tried to hurt us. Oh my brethren, there’s no greater feeling of thankfulness and appreciation than to be totally vindicated before God and man! Neither is there any greater joy than to see the wicked turn tail and run before the Lord’s awesome might and majesty! Now hear the psalmist, re God’s preparation of the food scene: ‘He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and the herb (vegetation) for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.’ (Ps.104:13-15) Yes Friends, through His ingenious machinations, our God enables us to have food and drink and oil. And He’s so generous my people, that when He blesses us, it’s not through halfway measures, or stinginess. No! Our God goes the whole way, and even beyond, anointing us with oil and giving us so much that our cup overflows with bounty and thus runs over. All I can say is ‘Wow!’ As the psalmist so rightly proclaims: ‘For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. But my horn (strength) shalt thou exalt like the horn of a unicorn (wild ox): I shall be anointed with fresh oil.’ (Ps.92:9-10) Ah Friends, anointing with oil was a big thing in olden times. It meant that one was blessed, looked on favourably, or was being given some important job that necessitated anointing. That’s why it’s mentioned so often in good terms and circumstances. A good example is when Samuel anointed Bruh David king; though he was still very young, it was a promise of God’s favour to come. Oh my people, at last we’ve come to the end of deciphering this magnificent psalm. You know when I chose the first verse as our Bit, so many days ago, I had no intention of going through the whole thing verse by verse, but by the end of that first day, I knew that was the Spirit’s plan. And what an interesting, all encompassing work it is, that’s why it is so LOVED and venerated by all and sundry. And finally, to all those who faithfully accept its tenets and arguments, here’s what is promised, what’s in store: ‘Surely goodness and mercy (LOVING-kindness) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.’ (Ps.23:6) And God’s people filled the air with joyous shouts of thanks and praise! Yes Friends, only a strong, confident, magnanimous and magnificent Deity, like our God, can both promise and do such wonderful things. Please don’t let His incomparable LOVE and goodness go to waste. Accept Him in your heart TODAY! Much LOVE!…the wisdom of the ages…try Jesus…you won’t regret it…for He’ll never let you down…