Finding the Table

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 
2) He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3) He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
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.
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 is such a familiar passage that we often quote it without drinking in the words of wisdom that are encased in every section. Maybe we are drawn to the peaceful streams, or are clinging to the knowledge that his rod and staff are there protecting and comforting. 
     Maybe we need to stop and re-think our interpretation – maybe walk around to the other side of these passages and get a new perspective. Several years ago while in Israel, someone was reading verse five and they said "If you are so focused on the enemy, you won't find the table." That grabbed me. The table is the very provision of God. It may be right in front of me – but if I am looking at the wrong thing – I have the potential to miss the very thing God is preparing for me or maybe what he's already spread before me.
     The enemy of my soul sends a world of distractions - some real, some contrived, some tangible, some in my own head or heart. All clamoring for my attention, steering my thoughts, my attitudes – its hard not to look. But, if it is true that what I focus on, I empower, then I have to set my focus the right thing, not on the distraction.  Phillipians gives us a tremendous guideline for this by saying, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
      May the aroma of the feast of His word capture my very being so that I find the table He has prepared. I wanna sit and taste the goodness of my God and drink of the new wine He is pouring even now. I wanna- let my cup overflow.