Soul Stir

In Hebrew, the word for Almighty is El Shaddai, which means the God of plenty or the “All-Sufficient One.” Basically, our God is more than enough. He is overflowing with everything we need in our lives.

God’s character trait of generosity runs throughout the scriptures. David says in Psalm 23, “my cup runs over.”  David reminds us that God provides abundantly more than we need, and it never runs out. Examples of God’s overflow include the feeding of the 4000 in Matthew 15:36-38, when Jesus blessed the seven loaves and a few fish to feed the crowd. Verse 37-38 says, “They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” He not only met their need, but there was an overflow. We also see something similar happen in Luke 5. “Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.” (vs 5-7). They were given what was needed … plus an overflow. Ephesians 3:20 tells us that “He will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” God desires to not only meet our needs, but He also desires to give us more. In doing so, He gives us more than we need, so that we can also bless others with that overflow. We get to share the goodness of God with others.

Another truth from Psalm 23 is that our cup that runs over is only filled by our Shepherd. We cannot fill our own cups … no matter how hard we try. It is a blessing from our Shepherd who adores us. Many try filling their own cups with wealth, fame, monetary possessions, friends, alcohol, food, and many other things, but only God can fill us to overflowing satisfaction. In fact, all of those other things leave us wanting, but God satisfies us with an overflow of love, mercy, acceptance, thankfulness, joy, and forgiveness. Those are the things that not only fill our cups but cause them to overflow to all those around us. Again, reflecting our Shepherd.

Although overflowing our cup seems unnecessary, the Lord delights in filling it. He longs to spend intimate time with us during the good times and the bad, and when we do, He overflows our cup. He does more for us than we could ever do for ourselves. He does more than we deserve because of His great love for us. His love overflows.

THIS WEEK: Carve out some time and space to spend with God. Be OK with sitting in silence. Turn on some music, thank God out loud, sing to Him, read scripture, and talk to Him. Allow Him to overflow your cup!

-Pastor Robert