My Cup Runs Over

In the past, I have shared passages in the bible that have stood out to me on my journey. One such passage is Psalm 23. Well-known and far reaching, this verse has provided both courage and comfort to thousands. For some, it has been spoken in defiance to the evil of this world. While others have whispered it in time of great despair.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

During my career in law enforcement, I carried Psalm 23 with me. I recited it often and soon did so by memory. Look closely at this verse and reflect on it in its entirety. There are so many truths within it. What a comfort it has been to me and can be to you. In particular, let's look at the reference to a cup running over. In other words, the writer's cup is so full it is spilling out. God has blessed their life so abundantly, that the writer cannot contain all of them. And just like David (presumed author of Psalm 23), God has blessed my life in the same way.

Reflecting back on His mercy, grace, forgiveness and love I am unable to contain them in my "cup". There are too many to count. So many, that I have forgotten and taken several for granted. I just assume God's blessings. And that is where I stop, because that is when the enemy wins. When we assume that God will simply keep on blessing is when we take our eyes off of Him.

I want to be more like the Apostle Paul who rejoiced in his suffering and counted it as pure joy. In his letter to the church in Philippi, he was glad to be poured out like a drink offering. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all (Philippians 2:17).

Like Paul, I count it as a privilege to suffer for the One that made the ultimate sacrifice for you and me...

Pastor Aaron