the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
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. Psalms 23:5-6.
David always prayed for this one thing, that he might "dwell in the house of the Lord" all the days of his life (Psalms 27:4). What, then, did he find there? "Goodness and mercy. " What more does man need? Completely destitute of that which is good but rich in all that is evil, there can be nothing of which man is more in need than mercy. Mercy he finds in the Lord only, in the house of the Lord, not in the tents of the wicked. Wherefore David would rather be a doorkeeper, porter, the least in God’s house, than the greatest in the "tents of wickedness. " What more did he find? A "table" prepared before him with food that strengthened and equipped him so that he became unconquerable and terrifying to all his enemies. What more did he find? A well of oil, an ointment for his head, given in full measure that he should never be in want. This can be seen in his psalms, so full of unction; from these we may ever draw sufficient ointment. May we come to this table, this source of unction? Most assuredly. More freely than men could In David’s time. Now it is open to all; now all are invited to this table; now all things are made ready for all in Christ Jesus (Luke 14:17). You may every day and every hour eat at this table, draw from this oil-well. Whosoever believes in Christ is himself a well from which flow "rivers of living water" (John 7:38). Whosoever believes in Christ has the bread of life, and shall not hunger nor thirst (John 6:35). Why, then, do not all believe in Him? Because Satan, the god of this world, has blinded their minds so that they do not see the clear light of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4); and because men love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 5:44; John 12:43).
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand secret sweets,
Before we reach the heavenly fields.
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound.
And every tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground
To fairer worlds on high.
