Live Completely Full

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

─ Psalm 23:4-6 ESV

Nine months into 2020, most of the world would agree it has been tumultuous and chaotic. You may have even felt like you were walking through the valley of the shadow of death. A myriad of circumstances lashed out and many of us grieved for loss of jobs, loss of finances, loss of intimacy with friends and family, special traditions thwarted, and expected celebrations denied or reduced.

In the hardest places in life, God desires to bless you with His richest blessings. The psalmist, in our verse today, cried out to God with the sentiment, Hey God! It feels like I am dying here! But faith rises and he declares what he knows to be true – God, you’re faithful. I know I’m not going to die. I can’t see it yet, but I refuse to be afraid because your wisdom and direction comforts me. My enemies are all around but you nourish my soul and bless me with whatever I need. My cup overflows!

God longs to fill your cup to overflowing with His joy. He gives you good gifts, the things that He knows will bring you pleasure and also promote growth in your life. Sadly, we can choose to stay in a place where all we see is the shadow of death. The challenges of life can literally suck your tank down to empty in minutes. But when you focus on His faithfulness, fill yourself with His wisdom from His Word and remember the difference He’s made in your life, you can live each day with your cup running over.

Today’s One Thing

Take a good inventory of where your focus lies. Are you looking to God to fill you up? You may not even realize it, but your thoughts and your words dictate whether your cup remains overflowing or empty. Choose to add those things to your day that fill you up and enjoy the full measure of the joy of the Lord.

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