Line Upon Line with Lawrence Yap
16 September 2020 | Psalms 23

*In view that we have the Malaysia Day Prayer on Tuesday (15/9), Line Upon Line with Rev Lawrence Yap will be scheduled to Wednesday (16/9) at 9pm. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

Do you do such?.this is NOT a normal response. 

When a bad person comes or when someone comes to rob you – what do we do? 

-we ran away; we look for a way of escape. 

-you will not stay. 

But here the Lord says…. ‘you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.’  

What does this mean? Let me explain, 

Who or what are the “enemies” in our life? 

It can be people… 

In life, people can irritate us and cause difficulties.  

-We are disappointed over people’s attitudes.  

It can be various situations in our life.  

-The difficulty; the problem; the misunderstanding; the discontentment…… 

All these are regarded as the ‘enemies in our lives.” 

However, I have learned why sometime God allows difficult people and situations that make life difficult for us.  

Someone said this…. 

“Sometimes it can be an enemy who can press you you’re your victory. 

Examples…… 

*Who is Goliath?  

-an enemy? 

But who would ever have heard of David, without Goliath?  

*Who is Pharaoh to Moses 

– an enemy? 

Who would have known about Moses, if there had been no Pharaoh oppressing God’s people 

*Who are ShedrachMeschach and Abednedgo if not for the fiery furnace?  

*Without the prison Paul would not have written the books of Galatians, Colossians, Philippians and Ephesians.  

What we are facing today? We may not have prayed so much if not for this pandemic.  

We would not have experienced how comforting are His Words if not for the fears that we are facing.  

We would not have appreciated the support from the family of God if not for the uncertainties that we are facing.  

What’s your dream? What do you hope to do?  

Is there an enemy standing between you and your goal? 

So –What is your ‘enemy”? 

God can use them to become an instrument to bless us. 

That is what it means by ‘He will prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies!  

David went on to say, “You anoint my head with oil.”  

It represents 2 things:- 

  1. It means giving us the authority

-Prophet Samuel used oil to anoint King Saul and later King David. 

  1. Itmeans His Healing. 

James 5:14 –“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” 

Finally, David said, “my cup overflows”   

There is a custom in the Middle East. If you came to somebody’s house, even if you were a total stranger (in the desert strangers take care of strangers), the first thing you do is offer them a cup of water or wine … They drink the cup and you refill it. They drink that cup and you refill it. … As long as the cup kept being refilled it meant you were welcome to stay. If you came to somebody’s house and after several refills, they left the cup empty, it meant your time was up — it was time to leave. If the host decided he really liked the person and wanted him to stay a long time, they would take the cup and fill it — not only to the rim but they would let it overflow.  

An overflowing cup was a symbol that you are special.  

When God says to you, “I’m going to fill your cup to overflowing” it means you matter to God and you’re special to Him.  

Jesus invites you to a banquet. He says “I’ll prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. I’ll anoint your head with oil. Your cup will overflow.”