Overflowing Blessings: The Message of Psalm 23:5
I recently read Psalm 23, and verse 5 kept resonating in my mind. Written by David, it says,
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over."
For a while, it was the latter part of this verse that I kept coming back to. Especially because the other day, I was drinking coffee, and it seemed like I had a bottomless mug, or more specifically, a bottomless Stanley cup. I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if there really were a bottomless coffee.
As I dreamed of coffee that never runs out, the rest of the verse echoed in my mind, and the first part of this verse hit me, especially the first two words. David writes,
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
God prepares! I want you to think about that with me. If you have ever had company over to your house, you know how much time and preparation it takes. From ensuring your home is clean to setting the table and preparing the meal, you want your guests to feel at ease and at home.
Imagine, this is what God does for us! He doesn't just throw things on a table haphazardly, give us second-best, or wait until the last minute. When we come to His table, we can see all that He has done and is continually doing for us. We enjoy being in His presence, as He ensures that we have everything we need to be healthy and whole in Him.
David then goes on to say,
"You anoint my head with oil."
David is again pointing out how God prepares. Specifically, how He prepared David to be king. God knew the plan He had for David long before David would officially be king. God anointed him with oil, sanctifying him and blessing him.
God does this for us - He has set us apart and is already working out the plans He has for us, anointing us with His love, graciousness, and holiness.
With the table and the oil, we see the intentionality of God in how He plans, prepares, and blesses. Knowing this, when David writes that his cup overflows, it is even more humbling. For a cup to overflow, something must be continuously poured into it that exceeds the cup's capacity. David didn't say my cup overflowed; he said my cup overflows.
God always, and I mean always, gives to us abundantly. With Him, we never need to live with less than His best. We never need to have empty cups. All we have to do is freely hold our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to Him, and He pours His Spirit into us.
So, not only did God set the table and sanctify David, but He continued to bless him with all that he needed. And He does the same for us today. Who He is and what He gives have no limit, and He is always prepared to provide us with more than what we need. With Him, we can hold out our cups in joyful expectation, trusting in His faithfulness.
Think About it
When was the last time you were at someone’s home and felt immediately at ease?
What made you feel like this?
What do you do when you have company over to make sure they feel at home?
Pray About It
Lord,
I come to you today to thank you for how you have prepared my life to overflow with your blessings and kindness. Help me to sit at your table, knowing I need you to fill me, and humbly asking you for your abundance as you prepare me for what you have planned for me.
Amen
Note: All verses are NKJV
About the author
Andrea lives in Atlanta with her husband, John and their dog, Maya. She is currently attending Calvary Chapel University to get her degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Women's Ministry. Andrea knows that Scripture has power and that God can do mighty things, as she has seen numerous times in her life. She prays that God will use her writings in a way that changes lives and brings Him all the glory.