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<p>Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life — and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Psalm 23:6<br><br>
    The good Shepherd, having undertaken the <em>care </em>of his flock; having <em>fed </em>them in green pastures, and given them to repose by the quiet waters; having restored the wanderer to the fold, and led him in right paths; and having conducted the flock, safely through the valley of the shadow of death — the scene now changes, the imagery is new.<br><br>
    Instead of a Shepherd — we have a <em>Sovereign</em>.<br><br>
    Instead of a sheep — we have a <em>guest</em>.<br><br>
    Instead of green pastures and still waters — we have a prepared table, perfumed anointing oil, and an overflowing cup.<br><br>
    The former scenery was in Bethlehem, near the home of Jesse — this scene is at the court of Saul. The custom is oriental, and is observed to the present day; hence we read in Captain Wilson's memoirs, I once had this ceremony performed on myself in the house of a great and rich oriental, in the presence of a large company. The gentleman of the house poured a delightful odoriferous perfume upon my head, my hands, and arms. He then put a golden cup into my hands, and poured wine into it, until it ran over; assuring me at the same time, that it was a great pleasure to him to receive me, and that I would find a rich supply in his house. This ancient ceremony is used by David to set forth spiritual things.<br><br>
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    <strong>First, a table is prepared for him.</strong> This was to <em>honor </em>as well as to <em>feast </em>him. His host was the great king, the Lord Almighty. O what condescension our God displays, in providing sustenance, and presiding at the table, where he feasts such <em>poor worms </em>as we are! What an honor to be guests of the Most High God! We do not wonder that we are compared to poor <em>silly sheep</em>: but to be raised to be guests in the palace of the great king, to banquet with the king — is truly astonishing!<br><br>
    The <em>preparation </em>made for us bespeaks at once the wealth, the dignity, and the love of him who has provided it. Here is <em>plenty</em> — enough and to spare. Here is <em>variety</em> — everything that is rich and good. Here is a <em>hearty welcome</em> — the founder of the feast is pleased to see us come. And of all who come it is said, You feed them from the <em>abundance </em>of your own house, letting them drink from your <em>river </em>of delights.<br><br>
    This <em>prepared table </em>is before us, and represents the <em>ordinances </em>of the everlasting gospel. On this table is presented all that is necessary to meet our case, or gratify our souls. Here is . . . <br />
      a full pardon of all sin;<br />
      perfect righteousness, to justify us before God; <br />
      peace with God;<br />
      pure, pervading and everlasting holiness;<br />
      deep and lasting comfort!<br><br>
    In a word, here is . . .<br />
      wisdom, for the foolish;<br />
      strength, for the weak;<br />
      health, for the sick;<br />
      patience, for the afflicted;<br />
      hope, for the tried;<br />
      redemption, for the enslaved;<br />
      life, for the dead; and <br />
      salvation, for the lost.<br><br>
    This table is prepared . . .<br />
      to meet all cases, <br />
      to suit all people, <br />
      to supply all needs, <br />
      and is open at all times.<br><br>
    It is prepared, and spread, in the presence of our enemies — before the world that hates us, and has often spitefully treated us.<br><br>
    Blessed be God for his gospel, his ordinances, his house, his Holy Spirit, his beloved Son, and his ever-blessed self!<br><br>
    This leads us to notice,<br><br>
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    <strong>Secondly, the Holy Anointing.</strong> You anoint my head with oil. All the Lord's people are <em>anointed</em>, as it is written, You nave an <em>anointing </em>from the Holy One, and you know all things. And again, As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.<br><br>
    By the <em>anointing oil</em>, is intended the Holy Spirit, who by his gracious and powerful operations . . .<br />
      penetrates the heart,<br />
      softens the spirit, <br />
      strengthens the mind,<br />
      beautifies the character, <br />
      gladdens the soul, and <br />
      preserves the whole sanctified person unto life eternal.<br><br>
    No perfumed ointment of the east, was ever so valuable, so pleasant, so beneficial — as <em>the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit</em>. With this Divine unction — we must be anointed. The Holy Spirit must be received. He is both <em>promised </em>and <em>bestowed </em>by the Father. The Holy Spirit was procured for us by the Son — and is also by him imparted. Gracious Lord, anoint, not only our heads — but our hearts, with the Holy Spirit in fullness and power, that we may shine to your glory, and be a sweet savor of Christ in every place! We now glance,<br><br>
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    <strong>Thirdly, at the Overflowing Cup. </strong>My cup overflows. In another place he says, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: you maintain my lot. The <em>cup</em>, or <em>lot</em> — may refer to temporal good, and many of the Lord's people have to say, in reference to God's providential dealings, The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes, I have a goodly heritage. Yes, the Lord has dealt <em>well </em>with his children, in the dispensations of his wise and holy providence. With some of us at first the cup was anything but overflowing — but it has increased, until we have at last reason to say — it is full to the brim! The language of the patriarch Jacob is suited to us: I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps!<br><br>
    Other believers had the overflowing cup — but the <em>shaking hand</em>, or the <em>giddy head</em>, or the <em>gadding heart</em> — emptied it! And now their wise and gracious Father, can only give them daily bread, or drop a little into the cup at a time.<br><br>
    How exquisitely sensitive was the mind of Agur, and how wise his prayer, Give me <em>neither </em>poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:9. A daily portion of temporal things, received directly from our heavenly Father's hand — is the best portion! May the Lord grant us to be satisfied with all His providential arrangements! Give us this day our daily bread! Matthew 6:11<br><br>
    But the overflowing cup may refer to spiritual things — and in this sense, our cup always runs over. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with<em>all spiritual blessings</em> in Heavenly places in Christ. Here is a full cup — all spiritual blessings. Again, All things are yours; whether . . . the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours! Again we say, Here is a full cup — all things are ours. Yes, every spiritual blessing is ours, to seek, receive, possess, and enjoy now; and all that is contained in that wondrous word glory, will be ours after death! Well, therefore may we say, My cup runs over.<br><br>
    Beloved admire the <em>beneficence </em>of God. How good, how generous, how gracious is our God. A <em>table </em>prepared, the <em>oil </em>poured on the head, and the <em>cup </em>filled to overflowing.<br><br>
    Rejoice, in the <em>believer's welcome</em>. In every possible way, our God shows us that we have a hearty welcome from him. Let us therefore dwell in his house, be regularly at his table, and come boldly to his throne — that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us, in every time of need.<br><br>
    Rejoice, in the <em>saints supply</em>. If God has prepared our table, if he fills our cup, we shall never be left destitute. There is no lack unto those who fear him. The strongest, the fleetest, the most courageous of God's creatures may lack; but not his beloved, believing, dependent children!<br><br>
    He will supply all our needs.<br><br>
    He will sanctify all our trials.<br><br>
    He will turn every curse into a blessing.<br><br>
    He will guide us by his counsel, and afterward receive us to his glory.<br><br>
    Now we are his <em>guests</em> — but then we shall be <em>children at home</em>. Now we are received at the palace of the Sovereign, as a favor; but there we shall be in our <em>Father's house</em>, and shall never leave forever.<br>
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