My Cup Runneth Over
How God Pours Out Blessings Even in the Midst of Battle
my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
Even in the middle of potentially the darkest night of his life, David can say that God is so kindly and abundantly working that his cup is brimming and running over.
In the middle of the trial, David leaned not on his strength or soldiers but on his Shepherd, his Savior.
A cup running over symbolizes wealth spiritually, emotionally, and even financially. God had met his needs and exceeded them in every way. David could never have imagined what he was enjoying on this cold, lonely night. God met his needs, and his Shepherd saw that he had no lack.
He refreshed himself, found provision, rested in green pastures, enjoyed peace beside the still waters, and restored his soul. That doesn't change the fact that the battle still raged. He was not free from the war, but free in the war.
The Shepherd's provision is spilling out and touching everything around David. David is not just surviving; he is thriving. The blessings exceed his capacity to contain them.
Enemies abound, family attacks, friends betray, turmoil and noise threaten, and even past mistakes and consequences scream in his heart. Still, he finds a cup overflowing with peace, joy, and assurance that God is with him, meeting every need.
Remember that Jesus came not to hurt you but to give you life—life more abundant. Your life, too, is full to the brim and overflowing with God's goodness. Just open your eyes to realize all that God is doing.
Relationship not Rules
The abundance comes not because David has followed the rules, but because of his intimate relationship with the Shepherd. The Shepherd, not the sheep, initiated that relationship. It is not about how much you love God, but you realize how much God loves you.
Complete in Christ
Do you realize we are complete in Christ? Colossians 2:10. Our union with our Savior and Shepherd makes us whole, lacking nothing—not based on our works. We are new creations with all things made new, and the past is gone. God has given us complete forgiveness and victory. We have all we need spiritually.
God can do a lot more than you can imagine, ask, or think. Ephesians 3:20. He meets our needs but does more than that; he provides more than we could ever imagine or hope for.
Our overflowing cup comes in many forms: peace in the turmoil, joy in the sorrow, or provision when it is impossible. God has enough and makes sure there are leftovers like He did when He fed the 5000.
Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings
Christ has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3. We share our overflow with the world. We are vessels of God's blessings, passing on grace, peace, and joy. Our lives testify to God's love and how good He is. We already have the blessings. They are not something you will get in heaven or something you are waiting for. They are yours now through your relationship with Christ.
You have all you need to do every good work, not because of your strength or resources but because He has inexhaustible resources. II Corinthians 9:8.
Hope givers
We are not hoarders, but hope-givers.
God doesn't just meet our needs or sustain us through difficulties; He lavishly showers us with blessings.
When the threats of death hover, heaven offers a banquet. He anoints with oil and causes you to overflow with His goodness. It is not about managing scarcity or poverty, but about extravagance that exceeds all expectations and necessities.
Abundance in Adversity
We enjoy abundance, even in adversity. God's provision isn't to be measured by our expectations or limited by our circumstances; instead, we see superabundance. The problems are still there, and the shadow of death still lingers, but the Shepherd's presence transforms the experience into something else.
We live from the overflow, trusting in the Shepherd's extravagant care. We still have troubles and difficulties, and we still make mistakes, but the Shepherd transforms how we experience the problems. Our troubles don't vanish, but we have all we need to face them.
We lay down in green pastures, even in the darkest valleys, with overflowing cups, not because of us but because of our Shepherd. We didn't earn it, but His love gave it to us as a gift.
Ask the Lord to open your eyes even in your darkest moment, and you will say in amazement, "my cup runneth over."
Do you see what happened on David's dark night? He finds himself in the lap of luxury, enjoying great blessings. God is doing what David never could have expected.
Do you realize how rich and over-blessed we are in Christ?
God's love, mercy, and faithfulness reach beyond the heavens. Psalm 108:4.
The word mercy used in the verse means goodness and kindness, lovingkindness, steadfast love, and loyalty. God is faithful to His people. It is God's covenant love with His people.
God promised, and He never lies. He doesn't change, and He will love us no matter what because He is love and good.
What will you do with this?
I hope you will ask God to open your eyes and the Holy Spirit to teach you about what He is doing in your life. Allow Him to lead you into all truth.
Meditate on His goodness and say thank you.
Stop looking at your situation and look at your Shepherd.
Quit complaining and start praising.
Quit focusing on yourself and turn your eyes to Jesus, your Shepherd, who completely transforms your life.
My Cup Runneth Over
In the night when shadows gather,
When strength and friends are few,
When fear surrounds like rising tide,
Still, Lord, I lean on You.
Not in sword or shield I trust,
Nor armies near or far—
But in the Shepherd of my soul,
My bright and morning star.
My cup—so small in trembling hands—
Is brimming full with grace.
Though darkness lingers all around,
I feast before His face.
The storm may howl, the enemies sneer,
And memories accuse,
Yet here I sit, beloved and full—
No blessing will I lose.
Peace flows where war still rages loud,
Joy sings amidst the pain.
Not absence of the fire and flood—
But presence in the rain.
He leads me where the pastures bloom,
By waters calm and wide.
He heals my soul and sets my feet
Where righteousness can guide.
He pours, and pours—beyond my need,
My portion overflows.
Not scraps, not lack, not mere survival—
But life that freely grows.
Abundance in adversity,
Provision in despair,
A banquet in the battle zone—
My Shepherd meets me there.
I did not earn this lavish love,
I did not climb to find—
This mercy flowing from His heart,
This joy that floods my mind.
I have all I need and more besides,
Not someday—but today.
Not by my work, but by His will,
He leads me all the way.
So lift your eyes and dare believe
When all the lights grow dim—
Your Shepherd has not left your side,
Your cup is full—in Him.