Mental Pictures: Psalm 23

I've said it before; words paint pictures. Pictures stick in our heads, like film in a camera. Yep, the mind takes pictures.

Only, sometimes, when the words are familiar ground, we run over that ground too quickly. We don't pause to see the pictures; and when that happens--especially with The Bible--we miss depth and lose meaning.

In keeping my first resolution, I've been going over some old, familiar ground. Refreshing my memory. I've made myself walk slowly, dwelling on the pictures.

Wanna see?

Okay, one at a time, I'll show you two of the most vivid images--the ones that have most recently gotten themselves stuck in my head...

First, the full Scriptures--a wide-angle view. Then, we'll zoom in, for close-ups of small pictures--shots that might be frequently overlooked.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23

Of course, these familiar words first conjure images of Jesus as our Shepherd.

Now, let's zoom in: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...

When my eyes run over these words, the ones in bold are a table, and the message they carry is Jesus will provide for my needs. That's true. But look at the words before a table.

Thou preparest...

David is still talking about Jesus, so those two words put Jesus in the role of a servant--just as Jesus did, when He washed His disciples feet (John 13:4--5). That brings to mind several pictures.

Jesus as chef, waiter, host. Picture Him. Spreading the tablecloth. Setting the table. Uncovering steaming, heaping platters of food. And no, it’s not all vegetables... Can you see it?

This is not choking down a cold MRE, while hunkered down, in a foxhole, listening for enemy footsteps, and dodging the occasional bullet. This is not a meal ordered through a crackling speaker and eaten from a cardboard box or a styrofoam tray–a meal that’s more grease than meat. This is not a package of crumbling peanut butter crackers that you just yanked from the vending machine–after a ten-minute fight to get that machine to take your money, and another six minutes of pounding, kicking, and shaking to get the machine to let go of your food and give you back your change.

This is a sit-down meal. Tuck your napkin in your collar. Pass the biscuits. Where’s the gravy? More peas, please. That kind of meal. We pick up our forks, prepared to dig in. Mouths watering. And just when we think it can’t get any better, it does. Jesus sits down to eat with us (Rev. 3:20).

The food includes a few of our personal favorites, because the menu is always as individualized as is The Chef’s love for us; and it nourishes our bodies, just as the conversation soothes our hearts and nourishes our souls. That “family time” grows the trust between us and strengthens the ties that bind us.

Finally, look at the end of the phrase: in the presence of mine enemies...

We are meant to relish the meal, in spite of our surroundings... Jesus does not extract us from reality to feed us. He does not give our enemies a happy pill, so they’ll be friendly for the duration of the meal. He gives us one-on-one time. We have His attention and protection. He wants us to be so thoroughly comfortable with Him and comforted by Him that--for the duration of the meal--our enemies’ proximity, their actions, and their attitudes just don’t matter.

Too often, we pass by the laid-out table and flat out run to the vending machine. Then, we turn to The Chef, in wounded dismay, when we find ourselves too weakened and weary to face our next battle.

We say, “You let me down”
He says, “You wouldn’t sit down”

Uummm....

Pass the potatoes, please!!