MY CUP RUNNETH OVER – PSALM 23 — Part 14
Mi copa está rebosando – SALMOS 23 — Parte 14
By Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Saturday, September 29, 2012
In order for the cup to overflow, there must be a Source. [Photographer: Gus Roman. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Psalm 23:5 "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23:5 "Aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; Unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Every few weeks, I call an elderly Christian friend that I have known since I was a child. She always asks me what has happened since we last chatted. After telling her something good that has happened, she invariably says, "You're lucky!"
I always respond, "No, I'm blessed. Luck ignores the Lord's hand in my life. Blessings acknowledge His care and abundance."
She always agrees, "You're right! You're blessed!"
My reasoning is simple: Luck has no source. Therefore, it cannot be depended upon. At best, its flow is spasmodic. Consequently, a person that counts on luck will never be able to say that he has an abundance of love, joy, and peace. He can never say that his cup overflows.
In order for the cup to overflow, there must be a Source. Those who believe in God receive His provision and His abundance. He is their Source. However, anxiety, distrust, and worry stop the flow of His provision because they demonstrate doubt about His ability to supply their needs.
In the Bible, a "cup" was any vessel that held drinking liquids. Two Bible verses indicate this for us.
One is Proverbs 23:31, which advises, "Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;" (New King James Version).
Another is Mark 9:41 in which Jesus says, "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (New King James Version)
Whether the cup holds water or wine, a "full cup" symbolizes God's provision. A cup and its contents represent abundance, prosperity, and a settled life without war for both humans and animals.
Although a community well or spring was usually regarded as providing water that was safe for drinking, a family cistern was not pure enough to provide water for drinking. That's because the water usually came down from the roof and through the gutters mixed with dirt and germs. Other liquids served as beverages, including milk from goats. However, if you have tasted goat's milk, you know that it is not as pleasant–tasting as cow's milk. Consequently, the juice of the grape was the best alternative. After the harvest, the juice would spoil unless it was fermented. Thus, wine was a practical beverage.
Only a prospering land with sufficient rain can yield water for raising both sheep and grapes. [Photographer: Rachael Towne. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Grapes can only grow when enemies do not destroy them during times of war. Wine is usually associated with celebrations such as weddings. Economic hardship usually results in a decrease in weddings while prosperity brings a willingness to make long–term commitments.
Wine is often associated with celebrations such as weddings. [Photographer: Adam Garza. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Like new cars and nice houses, wine is a symbol of prosperity. Sadly, many people seek the symbols of prosperity rather than getting to know the Source from whom all blessings flow.
Jesus knew of the human tendency to do that. That is why He advised, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, New King James Version) His advice is that we are not to seek the abundance; we are not to seek the overflowing cup. Instead, we are to seek our God, His kingdom, and His righteousness. Then, and only then, will the abundance start to flow. However, we are not to seek Him in order to receive things. Things are temporary while God is eternal. He provides for us beyond our needs because He loves us.
God created us for fellowship with Him. He loves us because He created us. Our love for Him should be reciprocal. One way we show our love for Him is through obeying His commandments and reading His Word, the Bible. We expect our children to show their love for us through their obedience to us. Since we are His children, God expects the same of us. We can also pray and ask Him to show us how we can grow closer to Him. He will honor a prayer such as this one:
"Dear Lord, I feel that I am not as close to You as I would like to be. Sometimes I feel that I am not good at expressing love. Please show me how to better express my love for you so that I can grow closer to You. Thank You for being my Source of all things — including love. Thank You. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS POSTING
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23:5 "5) Aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; Unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Proverbs 23:31 "Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;" (New King James Version)
Proverbios 23:31 "No mires al vino cuando rojea, Cuando resplandece su color en la copa. Se entra suavemente;" (Reina–Valera 1960)
Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." (New King James Version)
Marcos 9:41 "Y cualquiera que os diere un vaso de agua en mi nombre, porque sois de Cristo, de cierto os digo que no perderá su recompensa." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (New King James Version)
Mateo 6:33 "Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas." (Reina–Valera 1960)
Things are temporary while God is eternal. [Photographer: P.T. Amara. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Psalm 23 — 1) The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. 2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4) 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. 5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23 — 1) Jehová es mi pastor; nada me faltará. 2) En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará. 3) Confortará mi alma; Me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre. 4) Aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, No temeré mal alguno, porque tú estarás conmigo; Tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento. 5) Aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; Unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando. 6) Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida, Y en la casa de Jehová moraré por largos días." (Reina-Valera 1960)
