My cup runs over.  (Psalm 23:5c NKJV)

Almost one year has passed since Covid attacked my body. It drained me of all strength and left me feeling like a limp dish cloth. I didn’t run much of a fever, and thankfully, I never struggled for breath like so many do. It knocked me off my feet, too weak to even write.

In the Bible, the word cup can refer to many things: a cup you drink from, a cup of judgement, a cup of wrath, a cup of suffering, or a cup of blessing. My cup of blessing certainly didn’t seem to run over during my battle with Covid, but I want to direct us to a cup of suffering that far exceeded anything you or I have ever experienced.

Jesus Christ prayed for God the Father to remove His cup of suffering just hours before soldiers arrested Him. But only if it was the father’s will. He knew exactly what He faced. An unfair trial, beatings, mocking, and ridicule accompanied by scourging’s with a cat of nine tails. This long rope contained bits of sharp bone or metal in it, so when it struck Jesus, it ripped His flesh open. By the time He reached Calvary’s hill, blood oozed from every wound. Then they drove large spikes into His hands and feet and left Him to die an excruciating death.

Perhaps the most agonizing part was spiritual and not physical when His Father poured out judgement on Jesus for every sin we would commit.

Jesus drank the cup of suffering so we can drink the cup of blessing.

Often, we fail to see our cup of blessing as being full or running over. We’ve become such pampered Christians that we’ve come to expect an overflowing cup continuously.  How does the cup of blessing fit into the life of the shepherd and sheep?

The crisp air of Autumn brings blessing to a shepherd and his flock. Cooler Temperatures mean less pest, but storms can arise.

Sometimes, early winter storms arise before the sheep make it back to their winter fold. Sleet and cold rains chill the sheep, especially if they don’t have a thick wool coat. The shepherd keeps a warm liquid handy for just these occasions. In order for the shepherd to find the freezing sheep, he must stay in the storm with them.

Friend, our good shepherd who drank the cup of suffering on our behalf never leaves us in a storm alone. We drink from a cup overflowing with blessing when we view our lives through the lens of the Spirit. No matter how bad it seems, we will find something to thank Jesus for.

Jesus, thank You for Your amazing sacrificial work You did on the cross to save me. Help me always see my cup as overflowing and not half-empty. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Luke 23:39-46.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+23%3A39-46&version=NKJV

HIKING THE TRAIL

As you pray today, start naming your blessings one by one. Whenever I do this, I surprise myself as to how blessed I truly am.

RELATED RESOURCE

Stormy weather brings us down. As the winds of difficult seasons blow in, we become discouraged. We feel hopeless and truly believe our cup is almost empty. This month (October 2021), I have a special offer. When you buy one (1) of any of my books in the shop, I will give you a free gift. Overcoming the Overwhelming: Walking in Victorious Faith When You Don’t Feel Victorious will automatically ship with the book you order. It won’t appear on your receipt or cart, but I will add it as my gift to you. All books contain author signatures and a bookmark. Click here.

Originally posted on October 8, 2021 @ 3:06 am