- Overflowing
Psalm 23.5
My cup runneth over.
Our God is unnecessarily extravagant, wildly generous, and seemingly wasteful. God created way more universe than seems necessary to us to live, what with the billions of distant galaxies that seem irrelevant to our existence. And he made all those stars just for us to enjoy once a year on a clear night. He generates and keeps regenerating more than enough food and provision to feed an ever-expanding world.
He provides everything we need and even more than we need. My cup is not large enough to contain all that our Host wants to pour out for us so that His blessings run over and are wasted on the ground. Our Host is not frugal and definitely not stingy. He is very rich and lives to share His riches and His life with us. And He has more than enough to give to all of us until we are satisfied and twelve baskets are left over. Yet the human complaint is that He has not given enough rather than that He has given too much. God gives extravagantly, but He does not give to satisfy our greeds and selfish desires for more.
Regarding my legitimate needs: He gives as much as all the riches in glory in Christ Jesus in addition to my daily bread; plus our Host is still pouring out in such extravagance that my cup runneth over. Regarding my sinful desires and passions, my greeds and lusts: He will not always allow more to come my way than what He knows I need to support this body and life. Materially, there may be a limit; spiritually, there is no limit and He continues to pour out more spiritual blessings and fulfill more promises than I am capable of receiving.
In prayer, Bible study and worship we drink of that overflowing cup, meditating on the richness and vastness of God’s goodness. Forget not all his benefits: The cup is a pledge of love; the wine of salvation cheers; graces are quickened, faith is strengthened; love is increased; hope is revived; joy breaks out, gratitude abounds. The Lord Jesus living in us is the overflowing cup.
His providence is continually arranging affairs for our benefit and blessing. Scripture is a guide; angels attend the journey; darkness retreats. Redemption enfolds it all; no curse; all blessing; continual grace; possession of glory; resurrection; kings and priests, a kingdom, crowns of glory; the presence of God. That is extravagance running over.