11-09-08 Pm

The God who shares.

Psalm 23:5

Tonight as we look at verse 5 of this beautiful Psalm. The words of a song Johnson Oatman penned many years ago come to mind. The song is entitled “Higher Ground.” “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I on ward bound, Lord plant my feet on higher ground. I want to scale the utmost heights and catch a glimpse of glory bright; but still I pray till heaven I’ve found, Lord lead me on to higher ground. Lord lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven’s table land, a higher plane than I have found; Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”

As the great shepherd keeps us moving toward our heavenly prize we look and are made aware that the Lord Himself serves as our host that is going to share some things with us.

1. He shares the victory.

Sometimes when we think of victory we think of our history, our sports team or the healing of our bodies, but should never forget the victory that has been one for us through the provisions of our Lord and Savior.

God loved us so much that He allowed His Son to become the victim of sin. He knew no sin but He became sin for us. Christ had to identify Himself with suffering, sorrows, and struggles. This is the reason why He is touched with our infirmities because He can sympathize with our weakness.

This table is placed in plan view of our enemies. This table is on high ground. Christ disarmed the powers and authorities; He made them a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Jesus laid aside His splendor, and His position. He endured the “Lonely agony of Gethsemane,” Pilates judgment hall, and the humiliation of the cross. He broke the powers of darkness and death to provide victory for all sinners.

Tonight our victory was not won by way of public vote, but it was given out of love and received by faith. We have been elected by God!

1. He shared His anointing.

Sheep are sometime frustrated by small things. Flies hover over the flock and irritate them as they look for a place to lay their eggs. The sheep are frantic with anxiety. If these eggs hatch in the nasal cavity they can cause inflammation.

The shepherd knew that if he poured the oil on the sheep’s head that an immediate change in behavior would occur. It would bring relief and refreshment.

We all have irritations in our lives. Sometimes, small petty annoyances can ruin our day.

The only capable antidote is the oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit.

When Israel was subdued under the yoke of the Assyrians, God told them that the yoke would be broken by the Anointing.

When the anointing breaks the yoke transformation takes place. We are transformed from poverty to wealth; from brokenness to wholeness; from death to life.

1. He shares the cup.

David said, “My cup runs over.” Jesus referred to His agony at the garden of Gethsemane and Calvary as His cup.

Isaiah 53:12.

He shares the cup of the New Testament with His disciples.

Just like sheep who sometime stand in the open terrain soaked, chilled, and dejected, so we stand before our Great shepherd the same way and He shares His cup which holds His redemption price that brings us life, He pours His strength into us, He peace is poured out upon us.

We should be very thankful that the Lord shares His victory, His anointing, and His cup.