The Shepherd’s Good Gifts

When I was a teenager, an exciting new restaurant opened in my small hometown: we finally had a Chili’s! The best part about Chili’s wasn’t the thin, crunchy tortilla chips or the indulgently breaded chicken strips with salty fries. Chili’s most amazing feature was something I’d never seen before—unlimited soft drinks. 

Before my Dr. Pepper could empty all the way, the server would swap it for a full glass. And this endless supply of Dr. Pepper would continue throughout the meal. I wondered how they could stay in business, handing out glass after glass of Dr. Pepper like that! 

David lived a few thousand years before Chili’s and their unlimited Dr. Pepper, but he had a good Shepherd who led him in green pastures, through the valley of the shadow of death, to an even better table overflowing with good gifts. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)

Even though David was still in the presence of his enemies, God provided a refuge filled with refreshment. With the Shepherd’s protection and provision, David sat to eat in a lavish setting. Expensive oil anointed his head; his cup was filled to overflowing. God’s precious sheep lack nothing. 

There are days when our cup doesn’t feel like it’s overflowing. We may not be sure we have what we need to make it through another day, but Psalm 23:5 is still true. Can we see the table spread before us? 

God’s good gifts may not be exactly what we want, but He will always provide what we truly need: His grace, mercy, forgiveness, presence with us, care for us, unparalleled comfort, unexplainable peace, and unending faithfulness. 

Our Shepherd invites us to take a seat and feast on His lavish goodness to us. Feel the oil on your head that reminds you that you are precious to Him. See your cup overflow with His goodness, spilling over onto the table as you reach for it, reminding you that God’s provision is even more than you need. 

No matter what you face this week, your cup overflows with the Shepherd’s good gifts. 

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