Thank you for the question on Psalm 23:5 and its application question, “What is meant by the saying, “My cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5, NKJV? Could you confidently say this about yourself?”
The sentence, “My cup runs over.” would indicate that one is at peace and in peace. There is great inner joy and assurance that God is watching over him. David had no worries for he knows that God is his shepherd who is guiding, providing, and protecting him. It’s not just adequate. It’s overflowing.
Perhaps we can use the analogy that one is “stuff” and can’t eat anymore after a sumptuous meal. It’s the Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner where there is more than enough food than one can eat. It’s dish after dish that comes to the dinner table. It’s more than we can eat or drink.
I can say there are times when I am physically and or spiritually overflowing with joy and peace. I think of times when I am at a church retreat having my quiet devotion with the Lord in the woods or seeing believers respond to the Word of God or become active in serving the Lord. After visiting someone and having a great time of sharing and fellowship, I couldn’t ask for anything more after spending 3–4 sharing and talking in someone’s home.
I can also say that there are times when my cup is not overflowing. There is the time when my wife suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke or hearing my daughter-in-law has stage four cancer. It was a time of grief and sadness for me.
In these past 8 months, I can’t say that my cup is overflowing, but due to my daughter-in-law’s illness, it has drawn our family closer. I find great comfort knowing that my Heavenly Father hears me and I have had the privilege of spending more time alone with her than with my grandchildren. Despite knowing that her kind of cancer is terminal at some point, I am comforted to know that she will be with the Lord before I get there. Although I do not fully understand God’s will in this matter, one day it will be come clear to all of us and to our friends far and near. It is in that day that our cups will finally be overflowing permanently in God’s presence.
Jesus said that in this world his followers will have tribulation. Job had his share of testing and doubts, The Apostle Paul had his thorn in his flesh. It is through our suffering that the power and grace of God may be seen in and through us.
Can our cup be overflowing knowing that the promises of God never fails us? I believe so, but we take our eyes off the Lord more often than not in this world. The worries of this world infiltrate our hearts and mind, disturbing our spirit. We find comfort and hope again when we are before the Throne of Grace. God is active so the story is not finished. We must be patient to see how God will work out His perfect will in and through us.
-Kingston