My cup overflows
In my church choir, we had a gifted singer* with a special fondness for a song that spoke of “drinking from my saucer.” I had not heard the song until she sang it as an anthem one morning during Sunday worship. I don’t recall the exact lyrics, but the point of the song is to express great appreciation to the Lord because of His wonderful blessings. We can drink from our saucer because our blessings are so many that they overflow into all aspects of our lives.
Sometimes I forget that.
The title of this message, “My cup overflows” comes from the end of fifth verse of Psalm 23. “My cup overflows” indicates a recognition of blessings received. But, the first part of that verse is God’s promise of protection.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
As I have mentioned in the first four blogs of this series on Psalm 23, Dr. Charles Allen** delves into the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. This is a metaphor, of course, for God/Jesus (Shepherd) and us (sheep) and the loving care our Father extends to us.
Dr. Allen points out how we, as parents, protect our children as they grow. We teach them how to behave with integrity, to avoid danger, and to make wise decisions. We act as positive role models for our children to defeat the enemy (sin and temptation) by staying on the right paths.
Jesus expresses the petition of David when He prays, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ As we move along through life, we know there will be enemies seeking to destroy. Many will worry because of a fear they will not be able to hold out–the fear of failure and of falling. But the Shepherd of men is out ahead, and we can be assured of the protection of His strength.”
God’s Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Soul, pp. 37-38
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5
In pastures where sheep (and other animals as well) graze, there are often briars, thistles, rocks, and other hazardous objects that may scrape or cut the animals’ heads or feet. In David’s experience as a shepherd, when the sheep were coming in for the night, the shepherd would examine their heads. If a sheep was injured during the day, the shepherd would wash the wound, then apply soothing oil to promote healing.
Have you experienced God’s healing?
In grief, there are good days and bad days. Often, evenings are worse. I have kept myself busy all day, filling my time with both physical and mental labor. When evening arrives, I’m exhausted, but the loneliness of an empty house cuts deep into my heart. Jesus knows my pain and, if I allow it, He will grant a healing balm for my soul. Just as the shepherd anoints the sheep to soothe and heal their wounds, Jesus will anoint me (and you) with His healing power.
He heals the broken hearted and binds their wounds. He determines the numbers of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147:3-4
Does your cup overflow?
As we face fear of a contagious and deadly disease, worry about our family, grief at the loss of loved ones, concern for our children’s education, and anxiety over political conflict and economic issues, there is One who will bring us peace.
Even with all of our doubts, fears, and worries, if we count our blessings doesn’t our cup overflow?
Doesn’t Light overcome darkness?
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46
Will you pray with me?
Father, in this time of darkness, we are thankful for the gift of Light, for Jesus our Lord and Savior. With Him, there is no darkness. With Him as our Shepherd, our cup overflows. Thank you for our many blessings.
Wishing you a blessed week, my friends–and an overflowing cup.
Previous blogs in this series on Psalm 23:
*Our dear friend in choir, Leola Meador, left us to be with Jesus last year. A gifted singer, dedicated worker in our church, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she is dearly missed. We have an empty chair in our choir that cannot be filled.
**Source: Dr. Charles L. Allen. God’s Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Heart. Revell, Grand Rapids, 2015 (originally published in 1953).
I love your word picture of the shepherd anointing and bandaging the wounds of the sheep. Our Savior doesn’t leave us wounded, He binds up our wounds. An encouraging post, Katherine.
Thank you, Barbara. As you point out, our Shepherd binds our wounds. We are so blessed that He heals us physically and emotionally. Wishing you a wonderful week–good health, safety, and blessings.
I love being reminded of how God’s blessings for us overflow. It makes me remember when my grandmother drank her coffee out of her saucer. The coffee would overflow into her saucer. This way she got extra coffee. When God’s blessings overflow, we get extra blessings. Thank you Jesus.
What a wonderful memory! Thank you for sharing about your grandmother. The coffee or tea cup overflowing (or in my case, hot chocolate) is such an apt metaphor for our overflowing blessings. We get more of the good stuff! Hoping your week is blessed, my friend.
My cup overflows in so many ways my friend. It seems that the more I give myself to Him, the more He gives of Himself to me. 🙂 So enjoying this series ma’am.
Oh! So very well said, my friend. One thing to add to your wisdom–the more blessings we share with others, the more we receive. Thank you for your ministry of sharing encouragement to so many. You are a ray of sunshine.
Katherine you know I identify with your heart and widowhood in this post. My nightly practice of rewinding my day and recalling five things to be grateful for leads me even in loss to drink from my saucer. It has been part of walking with my faithful Healer. Thank you for this series on one of my favorite passages.
Marilyn, I’m so grateful for your prayers and understanding. It has been a challenge, at times, to see the blessings when still in the darkness of grief. But, as you mention, “walking with my faithful healer” lifts me up from despair. Thank you for sharing your practice of identifying five things each day for which to be thankful. Wonderful exercise in trust, gratitude, and thanksgiving.
Another wonderful post about Psalm 23! Numbering our blessings one by one helps keep us focused in the right direction.
Tonight I was in a Bible study where we discussed how to use our words to uplift others. Recognizing our blessings is such an important aspect of being able to share the gift of love and joy that Jesus brings to us and calls us to witness to others. Candyce, thank you for sharing the Light of Jesus through the blessings you give to His children.
This is a beautiful and encouraging verse for this difficult time: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5
Thank you for quoting it and for these insightful posts from Psalm 23.
Sometimes, even though I’ve memorized a number of passages, when I’m really feeling overwhelmed, this is the Psalm I remember first!
I know what you mean, Kathy. The words of Psalm 23 seem to carry us to those still waters that bring us peace. We can almost smell the fresh green grass of the meadow. We feel God’s armor of protection and recognize that He stands between us and danger with His rod and staff. We rejoice in the healing He provides–both in body and spirit. Yes–you are right, these words bring us peace and comfort when life threatens of overwhelm. Thank you, my friend.
Counting our blessings reminds us of their Source, our loving Shepherd who cares of us tenderly. You helped me connect the wounds of a sheep with the wounds of our hearts, both beneficiaries of His love. Thank you, Katherine, for sharing your journey and the strength you find in God’s Word.
We all have wounds, don’t we Jeannie? Some are still fresh, others are covered with scabs that sometimes to peel off to reveal that painful wound again. Aren’t we blessed that our Lord is the great Healer? Thank you for your encouragement, Jeannie. It means so much to me.
Katherine, this is such a beautiful, encouraging post. May He continue to fill your cup to overflowing and be your anointing Balm during the evenings.
Blessings to you,
Tammy
Thank you for your kind and encouraging message, Tammy. I’m so grateful for your prayers, especially your thoughtful recognition that my evenings are most difficult. I know our Lord’s healing Balm surrounds me. Wishing you safety and blessings.