David's words are so filled with spiritual meaning that they seem to spill into the open mind. Yet how often do we misinterpret the meaning of those often perused words? In the 23 Psalm David reminds us of the dependency we all have on God. He says "the Lord is my shepherd. This is fitting metaphor enough but David continues to expand upon this theme stating that God leads him by quiet waters, green pastures and stays with him through the valley of the shadow of death. When we get to the words "my cup runneth over" we should be able to see the constant theme of provision that comes from the Lord. This is not a material provision.
It is true that God wants us to taste and see that he is good and enjoy the creative fruits of his labor on this earth. In this case however David is speaking to a more basic need. He is pronouncing the blessing of God's presence in our lives. Aptly he uses the metaphor of having your cup filled up beyond it's capacity to the point that it overflows. Could Jesus have been thinking of this analogy when he spoke to the woman at the well and said "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14
God does not want us to thirst, but He more importantly does not want us to be cut off from His presence. So the next time you read the familiar words of Psalm 23 ask yourself does your cup run over? Your material prospects and even your social prospects may be low, but if you are abiding in Christ you can confidently say that His presence and ulitimately His life is overflowing out of your heart.
It is true that God wants us to taste and see that he is good and enjoy the creative fruits of his labor on this earth. In this case however David is speaking to a more basic need. He is pronouncing the blessing of God's presence in our lives. Aptly he uses the metaphor of having your cup filled up beyond it's capacity to the point that it overflows. Could Jesus have been thinking of this analogy when he spoke to the woman at the well and said "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14
God does not want us to thirst, but He more importantly does not want us to be cut off from His presence. So the next time you read the familiar words of Psalm 23 ask yourself does your cup run over? Your material prospects and even your social prospects may be low, but if you are abiding in Christ you can confidently say that His presence and ulitimately His life is overflowing out of your heart.
Comments