A Cup Runneth Over Perspective
January 28, 2008
Dear Friends,
There are four kinds of people in the world. There are those who see the glass as half-full. There are those who see the glass as half-empty. The third group is those who see the glass as empty or through depression don’t even acknowledge the cup at all. Finally, the last group is those who see the glass full to the overflowing.
King David was one of these men in the last group. David said in the famous Psalm 23 “my cup runneth over.” David saw his life as full to the brim with God’s blessing. David wasn’t delusional. Glass half-empty and glass empty people think that you have to be delusional to be so positive. Yet, David acknowledged the dangers around him. He knew that he was walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” and that his enemies were around him – even at his own table. Yet, despite these things, David acknowledged through it all that “thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
If you know anything about David’s life, you know that he had his ups and downs. He was anointed king at a young age with no pedigree for the assignment. He was a war hero and favorite of King Saul. He was good-looking Renaissance man who could play music, compose poetry and sling a slingshot like no other. Yet, David had horrible days too. He lost several children. He had to flee for his life on several occasions. He had all of his family and possessions stolen by raiders and didn’t know if he would ever see them again.
It doesn’t take any faith at all to have a “cup runneth over day” when everything is going well for you. Everyone feels great when they get that longed for promotion or the birth of a healthy child or when we finally find that special someone in our life. Faith comes into play when we have a “cup runneth over day” on a day that for most people would be an “empty glass” day. These are the days when we need to recognize God’s presence the most. If we have a day like Job where we lose everything – I mean EVERYTHING – and can still rejoice because we have God, that is when we really have something. In that time, we have that peace which transcends all understanding.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7 NIV)
Have a great week,
