My Cup Runneth Over!

In David's beautiful shepherd psalm where he described his trusting contentment in the care of the Great Shepherd, he noted the blessed state of his life by saying, "MY CUP OVERFLOWS." ( Psalm 23:4b ESV) Even in the face of challenges David acknowledged how RICHLY he was blessed. Do we recognize how ABUNDANTLY we also have been blessed by God?

Jesus exhorted. . .
"(37) Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (38) give, and it will be given to you. GOOD MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER, RUNNING OVER, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." ( Luke 6:37-38 ESV)

Every time I read this passage (especially verse 38) I am reminded of the statement on the side of cereal boxes and other boxed food items that reads something along the lines of: "This package is sold by weight, not by volume. Some settling of contents may have occurred during shipment and handling." Those words explain why the package still has more room in it so we don't feel we got less product than that for which we paid. That is not the case, however, with the blessings we receive from God. The picture Jesus provided was not just filled, but also "shaken together" (like settling the contents to make more room) and "running over."

Jesus had just referred to forgiving and being forgiven. The forgiveness we extend has an impact on the forgiveness we receive. ( Matthew 6:14-15) However, this manner of enrichment to which Jesus referred is not just limited to this blessing. In Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus he made four statements that reflect the ABUNDANT BLESSING that is ours in Christ. In the first chapter he mentioned the "IMMEASURABLE GREATNESS" of God's power for us; the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. ( Ephesians 1:9-10) In chapter two Paul referred to the "IMMEASUREABLE RICHES" of the grace of God we have received in Christ Jesus. ( Ephesians 2:7) Then in the third chapter Paul mentioned the "UNSEARCHABLE RICHES of Christ" ( Ephesians 3:8) and how God is able to do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" than all that we could ever ask for or imagine. ( Ephesians 3:20)

Starting with a GOOD MEASURE, PRESSING IT DOWN, SHAKING it to help it settle to make room for more, and then filling to RUNNING OVER! Blessings described as being IMMEASUREABLE, UNSEARCHABLE, and FOR MORE ABUNDANT! This is the manner in which God desires to enrich us. It is with a large measure He has chosen to fill our lives. We are indeed RICHLY blessed!

Have a great day APPRECIATING GOD'S LAPFUL!
Carl

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